Chapter IV

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

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

in the past

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had an easy-going sensible look.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

from appearances alone

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

of short duration or distance

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

exhibiting native good judgment

From this reading Apparently there was more force in her notions than in the other’s commonsense.

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

From this reading She had an easy-going sensible look.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Apparently there was more force in her notions than in the other’s commonsense.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had an easy-going sensible look.

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

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

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

From this reading Apparently there was more force in her notions than in the other’s commonsense.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She had an easy-going sensible look.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

joined in matrimony

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Apparently there was more force in her notions than in the other’s commonsense.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

and nothing more

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading Apparently there was more force in her notions than in the other’s commonsense.

a human being

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

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

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

a person who is being chased

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading She had an easy-going sensible look.

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

From this reading She had an easy-going sensible look.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Apparently there was more force in her notions than in the other’s commonsense.

a special situation

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

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

From this reading But a funny thing was, as Joe was quick to see, the batty one was the leading spirit of the two.

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

From this reading * * * * * Mrs. Boardman was a more practical-minded person than her sister—but not much more.

during the time that

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

which person or people

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.

a late time of life

From this reading She had been married only three months, and that twenty years ago, Joe had learned, but the experience, brief as it was, apparently enabled her to keep her feet on the ground, while the sister, who had never known a man, pursued her batlike flights through the air.