Chapter I

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

speak to

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

in addition

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

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

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading Chelsea, mcmxii.

weedy annual native to Europe but widely distributed as a weed especially in wheat

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

plural of “cut” — a share of the profits

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a boy or man

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

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

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

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

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

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

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

ten 10s

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

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

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

British artist and writer of nonsense verse (1812-1888)

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

without good reason

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

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

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

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

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

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

From this reading Chelsea, mcmxii.

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

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

plural of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

not any; not one

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

something you have to do

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

participate in games or sport

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

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

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

play smoothly or legato

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

in a stupid manner

From this reading There was an old man of Sheerness, Who invited a friend to play chess; But he’d lent all the pieces To one of his nieces, And stupidly lost her address.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

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

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

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

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

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

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

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

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

(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 To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

at the time that

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”

which person or people

From this reading To join them to new occasions need be no slur on their value and beauty, if the rhyme be taken as lightly as it is offered by a lover of old things as well as new, who is indebted to Messrs. Quaritch, Leighton, Barnard, and others, for much more than is here to be seen, as also to Edward Lear.

a late time of life

From this reading London: Macmillan & Co. Ld. mdccccxii Few of the cuts in this book are less than four hundred years old.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A Lyttel Booke of Nonsense There was a young fellow of Sark, Who wandered about in the Park; When the constable said He’d be better in bed, He replied, “I’m afraid of the dark.”