Chapter I

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

From this reading A Pretty Horsebreaker.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

later than; following

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

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

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

-ing form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

the dead body of a human being

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

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

From this reading A Pretty Horsebreaker.

impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

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

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

completely unclothed

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

very recently

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

a coniferous tree

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading A Pretty Horsebreaker.

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

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

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

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

plural of “spire” — a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

having only essential or minimal features

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

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

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.

a dense growth of bushes

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Here and there a tree had been cut down and slung across the track, ready for barking.

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

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

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

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The moon had newly risen, a late October moon, a pale almost imperceptible crescent, above the dark pine spires in the thicket through which Roderick Vawdrey came, gun in hand, after a long day's rabbit-shooting.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading It was not his nearest way home, but he liked the broad clearing in the pine wood, which had a ghostly look at dusk, and was so still and lonely that the dart of a squirrel through the fallen leaves was a startling event.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Here and there a sturdy young oak that had been newly stripped of its bark lay among the fern, like the naked corpse of a giant.