Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

in addition

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

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

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Woodbine," their home, had been the family seat for many generations.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

move away from a place into another direction

From this reading It had seen many a Seldon enter this world and many a one depart from it.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

subject to popular election

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

to come or go into

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

a social unit living together

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It had seen many a Seldon enter this world and many a one depart from it.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading "Woodbine," their home, had been the family seat for many generations.

in a good-natured manner

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

plural of “grownup” — a fully developed person from maturity onward

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "Woodbine," their home, had been the family seat for many generations.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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 "Woodbine," their home, had been the family seat for many generations.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

a particular point in time

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It had seen many a Seldon enter this world and many a one depart from it.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

go across or through

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

earlier in time

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

plural of “reputation” — the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading "Woodbine," their home, had been the family seat for many generations.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It had seen many a Seldon enter this world and many a one depart from it.

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

From this reading It had seen many a Seldon enter this world and many a one depart from it.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

the season of growth

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

-ing form of “squabble” — argue over petty things

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

express a supposition

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

lengthen or extend in duration or space

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

carry out

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

Constituting number thirteen in a sequence.

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

in spite of the fact that

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

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

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

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

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

during the time that

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

in the company of; together with

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

common North American vine with compound leaves and bluish-black berrylike fruit

From this reading WOODBINE While Beverly Ashby is squabbling good-naturedly with her brother and chum, suppose we take this opportune moment in which to learn something about the trio?

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading They also chose the thirteenth of May, 1897, to spring their first surprise upon their family by arriving together, and had managed to sustain their reputations for surprising the grownups by never permitting a single year to pass without some new outbreak, though it must be admitted that Beverly could certainly claim the greater distinction of the two in that direction.

a late time of life

From this reading Beverly and her brother, Athol, had elected to enter this world exactly fifteen years and four months prior to the opening of this story.