Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

in the past

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.

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

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

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

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

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

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

destroyed or killed

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

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

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

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

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

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

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

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

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

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

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

past form of “intercept” — seize on its way

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

attractive and tempting

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

and nothing more

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

with laughter; while laughing

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

moving slowly and gently

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

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

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

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 I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

for more time

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

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

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

a particular point in time

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

not any; not one

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.

having branches or flower heads that bend downward

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

-ing form of “nose” — search or inquire in a meddlesome way

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

above and across; more than

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

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

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

an edge tool for cutting grass; has a long handle that must be held with both hands and a curved blade that moves parallel to the ground

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

the act of searching for something

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

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

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

the season of growth

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

the rays of the sun

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.

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

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

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

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

past form of “toy” — behave carelessly or indifferently

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

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

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

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

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading I had left the scythe lying at the edge of the long grass, and gone up through the rows of nodding Indian corn to the house, seeking a draught of cool water from the spring.

during the time that

From this reading How pleasant and inviting the little river looked in the shade of the great trees, while, as I paused a moment bending over the high bank, I could see a lazy pike nosing about among the twisted roots below.

a Caucasian

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

in the company of; together with

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading My mother, her sleeves rolled high over her round white arms, was in the dark interior of the milk-house as I passed, and spoke to me laughingly; and I could perceive my father sitting in his great splint-bottomed chair just within the front doorway, and I marked how the slight current of air toyed with his long gray beard.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It was hot in the July sunshine; the thick forest on every side intercepted the breeze, and I had been at work for some hours.

the day immediately before today

From this reading Surely it was no longer ago than yesterday.