Chapter XXXV

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

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

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

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

plural of “aster” — any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus Aster with showy daisylike flowers

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

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

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

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

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

rid of obstructions

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

-ing form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

an old word for “before”

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

to or in any or all places

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

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

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

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

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

an erroneous mental representation

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

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

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

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

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

and nothing more

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

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 birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

the movement of persons from one country or locality to another

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

above and across; more than

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

only a very short time before

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

past form of “soar” — rise rapidly

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

abounding with or resembling stars

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

not in physical motion

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

plural of “swan” — stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

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

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

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

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

informal terms for clothing

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

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

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

having come into contact

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

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

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

under normal conditions

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

precisely as stated

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

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

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

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

From this reading Everywhere summer roses bloomed in the gardens beside the asters, and the forests were very slow in decking themselves in brilliant hues.

at the time that

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

in or at the place that

From this reading The air was so still that the floating threads of gossamer scarcely stirred, and when a leaf fell it remained just where it touched the ground.

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

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

during the time that

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

a Caucasian

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading The birds of passage had paused in their migration, and chirped and--twittered among the fields and hedges with their merry little voices, while in the evening the wild swans, which usually, long ere this time, had soared away on their strong white wings, called to each other along the shore.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was a wondrously beautiful autumn, which seemed marvellously like summer; "but it is only an illusion," said Cecilia, "the summer is over, winter is close at hand, and I must prepare for it."

in the company of; together with

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading A wondrously beautiful autumn, with mild golden days, and clear starry nights, brooded over the country.