Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

plural of “balloon” — large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

for the reason that

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

past form of “billow” — rise up as if in waves

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

the capacity to understand a broad range of topics

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

cheerfulness that bubbles to the surface

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

in characteristic manner

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

an impudent statement

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

not accurate

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

having notes of fixed rhythmic value

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

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

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

and nothing more

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

larger than normal for its kind

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

inflected form of “personify” — invest with or as with a body; give body to

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

on the contrary

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

the season of growth

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

(of growing vegetation) having just emerged from the ground

From this reading Miss Allison had wings, not because she was an angel, but because it was the fashion,--wings that sprouted at her fair, plump, shapely shoulders and billowed out like balloons.

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

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

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

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

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

smaller than normal for its kind

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

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

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

(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 She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading There was something characteristically inaccurate about that statement, for Miss Allison was rather undersized in one way and oversized in another; at least that, too, is what her friends said.

in or to any place at all

From this reading She had met him the previous summer on the Rhine, and now "if they aren't engaged they might as well be," said her friends, "for he is her shadow wherever she goes."

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading She was not more than five feet in height nor less than five feet in breadth "measured from tip to tip of her wings," as her brother said.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.

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

From this reading Her brother Cary, above referred to, a sixteen-year-old specimen of Young American impudence and independence, said further of her, in the spring of '94, that if Floy's sleeves were only inflated with gas she could float on air as easily as she did on water, and on water Miss Allison was buoyancy personified.