Chapter VII

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

highly skilled

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

(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 Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

a stringed instrument of the guitar family that has long neck and circular body

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

dearly loved

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

plural of “diary” — a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

a young female

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

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

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

the literary culture

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

a female domestic

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

the mansion of a lord or wealthy person

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

and nothing more

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

above and across; more than

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

a wrapped container

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

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

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

bound or secured closely

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

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

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

impressive by reason of age

From this reading As he entered the house there came to his venerable ears the sounds of singing and the twanging of strings.

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading Upon the following afternoon the vicar came to call at the manor.

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

From this reading Jim had handed over to him as the oldest friend of the late Squire all his uncle’s letters, diaries, and other papers, and had asked him to look through them; and, the task being accomplished, he was now bringing them back, carefully docketed and tied up in a large parcel.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Dear me, what is that?” he asked the maid, pausing in the hall.

which person or people

From this reading “Oh, it’s only the master a-playing of ’is banjo,” the girl explained, smiling at the vicar, who had been her friend since her earliest childhood.