Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

moving forward

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

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

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

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

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

the lower side of anything

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

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

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

a road leading up to a private house

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

divisible by two

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

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

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

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

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

in an imperious manner

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

and nothing more

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

drive or propel with the foot

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

plural of “kick” — the act of delivering a blow with the foot

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

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

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

and nothing more

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

precisely, exactly

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

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

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

not often

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

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

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

hit with a missile from a weapon

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

an act of forcible exhalation

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Landing at the bottom, he did not stop even for a glance; he could hear the snorting of Mr. Godd, it seemed right behind his ear, and Peter ran down the driveway as he had seldom run in his life before.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

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

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

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

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.

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

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

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

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

having come into contact

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

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

From this reading The man was right behind him, and as Peter reached the first stair the man’s foot shot out, and caught Peter fairly in the seat of his trousers, and the first stair was the only one of the ten or twelve stairs of the veranda that Peter touched in his descent.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “John!” cried Mrs. Godd, imperiously; but she might as well have cried to an advancing thunder-storm.

which person or people

From this reading The man made a leap upon Peter, and Peter, who had dodged many hundreds of blows in his lifetime, rolled off the lounging chair, and leaped to his feet, and started for the stairs of the veranda.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Every now and then Mr. Godd would shoot out another kick, but he had to stop slightly to do this, and Peter gained just enough to keep the kicks from reaching him.