Chapter I · Black-Eyed Susan of Featherbed Lane

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

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

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

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

inflected form of “bob” — move up and down repeatedly

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

the two together, not just one

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

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

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

greatly pleased

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

plural of “errand” — a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

a young female

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

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

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

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

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

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

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

the sound of laughing

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

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

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

not any; not one

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

express in words

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

and nothing more

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

an incompetent person; usually used in negative constructions

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

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

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

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

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

past form of “tickle” — touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

(used of noses) turned up at the end

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

inflected form of “trip” — miss a step and fall or nearly fall

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

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

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

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

From this reading “The best little girl in Putnam County,” said Grandfather, snuggling Susan up so close that his gray beard tickled her nose and made her laugh.

precisely as stated

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

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

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

be dressed in

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

in a willing manner

From this reading A warm heart, a pair of eager little hands always ready to help, little feet that tripped willingly about on errands—that was Susan, too.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Susan herself didn’t say very much to this, but oh, how she did love Grandfather, from the crown of his big slouch hat to the toes of his high leather boots that he delighted to wear both winter and summer!

in the company of; together with

From this reading A pair of black eyes, a head covered with short brown curls, two red cheeks, and a tip-tilted nose—that was Susan.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “My little comfort,” said Grandmother, with a hand on Susan’s bobbing curls that simply couldn’t be made to lie flat no matter how much you brushed and brushed.