Chapter I

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

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

anew

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

(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 When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "UNCLE REMUS," ETC.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

a youthful male person

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading "But you can't use them, my son," said his father.

a boy or man

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

a sharp curve or crook; a shape resembling a hook

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

plural of “crutch” — a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

plural of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "UNCLE REMUS," ETC.

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

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

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

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

set up or found

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

a state in southeastern United States; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

a boy or man

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

staying power

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "But you can't use them, my son," said his father.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "UNCLE REMUS," ETC.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

on one occasion

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

participate in games or sport

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

(Roman mythology) the twin brother of Romulus

From this reading AUTHOR OF "UNCLE REMUS," ETC.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

in a serious manner

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

a male human offspring

From this reading "But you can't use them, my son," said his father.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "But you can't use them, my son," said his father.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

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

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading AUTHOR OF "UNCLE REMUS," ETC.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

the act of using

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading When he was told about this he laughed, and said he had known all along that he would never be able to run about on his feet again; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that he wanted a pair of crutches made.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

(used informally) very small

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

at the time that

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

which person or people

From this reading Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia a boy who was known as Little Crotchet.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

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

From this reading It was a very queer name, to be sure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of a chap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctors said the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of his legs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as other children do.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "But you can't use them, my son," said his father.