Chapter II

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

a theatrical performer

From this reading An actor in the house!

how long something has existed

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

(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 All the others silent, but father talking and talking.

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

From this reading An actor in the house!

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All the others silent, but father talking and talking.

English comedian and film maker; portrayed a downtrodden little man in baggy pants and bowler hat (1889-1977)

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

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

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

a female human offspring

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

an abstract part of something

From this reading Father was in his element now.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

possessive form of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading All the others silent, but father talking and talking.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading Father was in his element now.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading An actor in the house!

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

and nothing more

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

joined in matrimony

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Father was in his element now.

the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading All the others silent, but father talking and talking.

by chance

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

in the near future

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading All the others silent, but father talking and talking.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading All the others silent, but father talking and talking.

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

of hair color; whitish

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

which person or people

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

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

From this reading The farmer’s wife, the hired man and perhaps a grown daughter would be there and there would be a maiden of uncertain age--the farm woman’s sister, who had never married and so just stayed about and worked for her board--and, in a corner, two or three towheaded boys who would presently have to go off to bed.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It was wonderful, like having Charlie Chaplin to dinner with you nowadays!