Chapter I

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

for the reason that

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But everyone called him Jeff.

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

From this reading But everyone called him Jeff.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

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

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

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

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

every person

From this reading But everyone called him Jeff.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading But everyone called him Jeff.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

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

From this reading But everyone called him Jeff.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

not any; not one

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

brief or direct in expression

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

which person or people

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading Jeff had big wide-awake, brown eyes, that seemed as if they never could look sleepy.

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

From this reading The gentle lady who was his mother had no other children, and she loved him more than words can say; not because he was a good or pretty child--for he was neither--but because he was her one little child.

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

From this reading He was eight years old, and his name was Geoffry.

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

From this reading His hair was yellow, but cut so short that it could not curl at all.