Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

(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 He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

react verbally

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

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

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

completely unclothed

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

the act of burning something

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

a carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic matter in the absence of air

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

a young person of either sex

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

the first light of day

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

a boy or man

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

not causing or capable of causing harm

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

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

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

-ing form of “hew” — make or shape as with an axe

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

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

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

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

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

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

From this reading "There is none to do, Jeannot.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

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

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

a boy or man

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

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

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

the state of being a man; manly qualities

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

not one, and not any

From this reading "There is none to do, Jeannot.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

above and across; more than

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

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

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

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

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

naturally having skin of a dark color

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

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

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

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

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "There is none to do, Jeannot.

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

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

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

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

in a shy or timid or bashful manner

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

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

From this reading "There is none to do, Jeannot.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

the act of tying or binding things together

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

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

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

at the time that

From this reading He was a good, harmless, gentle fellow, swarthy as charcoal and simple as a child, and quite ignorant, having spent all his days in the great Soignies forests making fagots when he was a little lad, and hewing down trees or burning charcoal as he grew to manhood.

cricket equipment consisting of a set of three stumps topped by crosspieces; used in playing cricket

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

someone who lives in the woods

From this reading The woodman did not answer; he leaned over the half-open wicket, and swayed it backwards and forwards under his bare arm.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading They want so little in this time of the year--the flowers," said she, lifting her head from the sweet-peas she was tying up to their sticks.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Can I do any work for you, Bébée?" said black Jeannot in the daybreak, pushing her gate open timidly with one hand.