Chapter I

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

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

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

a youthful male person

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

activities that are enjoyable or amusing

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

the act of departing

From this reading _"We're going to the Country," Said little Buddy Jim.

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

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

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

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

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

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

and nothing more

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

come together

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

exhibiting the qualities expected in a friendly neighbor

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

above and across; more than

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

by chance

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

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

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

carry out

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

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

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

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

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

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

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Buddy Jim and old Dog Sandy are waiting for us over on the front page.

plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading So this is the story of the way a _real boy_ and a _real dog_ spent their first summer in the _real country_; and the fun they had together.

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

From this reading _"We're going to the Country," Said little Buddy Jim.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

at the time that

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

which person or people

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading He said that it must be a _real boy_ and a _real dog_, and there must be other animals in the story, not great, big, fierce ones, but just _neighborly_ ones--animals a boy might, perhaps, meet when he went for walks in the woods--and take pictures of and get to know.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Out in the Park one day, children, I met a little boy not bigger than you are, who told me that he liked stories about a boy and a dog and the things they did together.