Chapter I

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

speak to

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

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

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

past form of “append” — add to the very end

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF HELEN’S BABIES, etc., etc..

plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading AUTHOR OF HELEN’S BABIES, etc., etc..

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

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

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

third-person singular of “dedicate” — give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF HELEN’S BABIES, etc., etc..

divisible by two

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

usually; as a rule

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

possessive form of “helen” — (Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading AUTHOR OF HELEN’S BABIES, etc., etc..

an indirect suggestion

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

urged or forced to action through moral pressure

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

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

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

the force of workers available

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

try to get or reach

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

in the near future

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Being an account of the further doings of these marvelously precocious children.

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

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

a unit of weight for wool equal to about 28 pounds

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

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

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

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

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

which person or people

From this reading He therefore dedicates it to =Those Who Know How to Manage Other People’s Children=.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading With fifty illustrations by TOD DWIGGINS The Author of “Helen’s Babies” dedicated that book “To the Parents of the Best Children in the World”; and his commercial hint appended thereunto was so generally taken, that he is impelled by selfishness to seek even a larger class to which to inscribe the present volume.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading The many indulgent men and women who liked “Helen’s Babies” so well that they wished they had written it themselves would have changed their minds could they have been compelled to read criticisms of a certain kind that were inflicted upon the author as soon as his name and mail address became known.