Chapter I

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

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

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

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

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

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE WOLF AT THE DOOR.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

an administrative unit of government

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

a stick that people can lean on to help them walk

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

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

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

a female human offspring

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading THE WOLF AT THE DOOR.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

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

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

plural of “garment” — an article of clothing

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

a young female

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

destroyed or killed

From this reading “The rent money is gone.

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

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

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

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

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

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

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

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

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

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

possessive form of “infant” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

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

From this reading “The rent money is gone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

a short coat

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

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

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

a particular point in time

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading “The rent money is gone.

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

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

by chance

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

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

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

let for money

From this reading “The rent money is gone.

inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

an attendant who rocks a child in a cradle

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

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

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

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

From this reading THE WOLF AT THE DOOR.

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

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

not brought to the desired final state

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

which person or people

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I had it in this corner of the bureau, waiting for the agent, whom I expect at any moment.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”

any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading THE WOLF AT THE DOOR.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading “I’ve been robbed!” gasped Mrs. Hazard, a pleasant-featured little woman of perhaps forty, sinking into a chair, her face the picture of dismay.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Mother,” exclaimed her daughter Annie, a slender, delicate girl of fifteen, who sat in a cane rocker, feather-stitching an infant’s jacket with blue silk, a small pile of the unfinished garments lying in a box on a table before her, “what do you mean?”