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 He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

later than; following

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

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

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

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

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

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

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

being very thin

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

-ing form of “bump” — knock against with force or violence

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

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

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

past form of “christen” — administer baptism to

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

rid of obstructions

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

without doubt or question

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

fully understood or grasped

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

any strong feeling

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

apart from; not including

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

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

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

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

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

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

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

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

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

a holiday taken by a newly married couple

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

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

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

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

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

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

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

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

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

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

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

used to form the superlative

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

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

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

many times at short intervals

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

many times at short intervals

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

plural of “petticoat” — undergarment worn under a skirt

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

To recall to mind.

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

put a saddle on

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

only a very short time before

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

a discussion intended to produce an agreement

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

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

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

in or at that place or location

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

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

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

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

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

not liable to failure

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips

From this reading It was on this horse's back that I took my first ride, when I was scarce out of petticoats, and often after that, held carefully before him on the saddle, or, as I grew older, bumping joyously behind, my arms about his waist.

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

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

(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 He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

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

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

at the time that

From this reading I cannot remember the time when I did not know and love him.

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

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

which person or people

From this reading THE ENDING OF THE HONEYMOON Besides my father and my mother, the figure which stands out most clearly in my memory of my childhood is that of the man who christened me.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was a tall, well-built man, with kindly face and clear blue eyes which darkened when any emotion stirred him, and rode--how well I remember it!--a big, bony, gray horse.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading My place was always on his knee when he was within our doors, and he held me there with unfailing good humor during his long talks with my mother, of which I, for the most part, comprehended nothing, except that oftentimes they spoke of me, and then he would smooth my hair with great tenderness.