Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I'm not going to talk about it, either.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "I don't believe it!

the cognitive process that leads to convictions

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Tilly thought, and, flushing scarlet as she thought, she burst out,-- "Well, I don't care, I don't care.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Tilly thought, and, flushing scarlet as she thought, she burst out,-- "Well, I don't care, I don't care.

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

From this reading "I don't believe it!

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

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

one or the other of two

From this reading I'm not going to talk about it, either.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

-ing form of “flush” — turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame

From this reading Tilly thought, and, flushing scarlet as she thought, she burst out,-- "Well, I don't care, I don't care.

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the act of departing

From this reading I'm not going to talk about it, either.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading "I don't believe it!

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

From this reading I'm not going to talk about it, either.

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

in an indignant manner

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I don't believe it!

and nothing more

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

United States suffragist in Wyoming (1814-1902)

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Tilly thought, and, flushing scarlet as she thought, she burst out,-- "Well, I don't care, I don't care.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

To recall to mind.

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

a hotel located in a resort area

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

From this reading Tilly thought, and, flushing scarlet as she thought, she burst out,-- "Well, I don't care, I don't care.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading Tilly thought, and, flushing scarlet as she thought, she burst out,-- "Well, I don't care, I don't care.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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 I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading I'm not going to talk about it, either.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Tilly thought, and, flushing scarlet as she thought, she burst out,-- "Well, I don't care, I don't care.

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

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

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

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

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

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

(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 "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

at the time that

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading I don't believe it!" said Tilly Morris, indignantly, as Dora wound up her recital of the Smithson-Smith story.

third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Well, you can believe it or not; but I don't see how you can help believing, when you remember that their name is Smith, and that they are aunt and niece, and that the niece is fourteen or fifteen,--just as the paper said,--and that they are staying at a summer resort not far from Boston, and--that the niece writes to some one in South America,--think of that!"