Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

have

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”

plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”

inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

a social unit living together

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

powerful brownish-yellow bear of the uplands of western North America

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

by chance

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

arrange in a container

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

by chance

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

cut with a saw

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”

plural of “settlement” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

a member of the ancient Greek school of philosophy founded by Zeno

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “Oh I can’t believe it possible that there is a bear about,” she said.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

precisely as stated

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

Scottish insurgent who led the resistance to Edward I; in 1297 he gained control of Scotland briefly until Edward invaded Scotland again and defeated Wallace and subsequently executed him (1270-1305)

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “We are very near the Wallaces’ cabin now, that is, it’s not more than half a mile away and bears do not venture near settlements if they know it.”

during the time that

From this reading Margaret asked as the girls, puzzled indeed, by the faithful creature’s strange and unexpected behavior sat in their saddles, two of them gazing anxiously into the dark entrance of the canon, while the third, Virg, watched the flight of their pack animal.

exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity

From this reading “Maybe this one is a big grizzly and maybe he’s eaten the Wallace family all up and perhaps be coming now to—” Megsy laughed at the wide-eyed Betsy.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Do you think old Stoic saw a bear?”