Chapter IX

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Nothing like boys for generosity!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

absence of light or illumination

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

dearly loved

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Nothing like boys for generosity!

inflected form of “forgive” — stop blaming or grant forgiveness

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

the trait of being willing to give your money or time

From this reading Nothing like boys for generosity!

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

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

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

humorously sarcastic or mocking

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

the sound of laughing

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading And Marsland thought: ‘Live and learn!

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Nothing like boys for generosity!

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading And Marsland thought: ‘Live and learn!

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

a successful womanizer; a man who behaves selfishly in his sexual relationships with women

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

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

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

immediately following in time or order

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing like boys for generosity!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

by chance

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

be seated

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

not in physical motion

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

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

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

United States writer and poet (1905-1989)

From this reading Squatting on the warren grass, still warm and dewless, Marsland rubbed his knees.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

(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 And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

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

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

in or at the place that

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading She had never forgiven him that laugh--thinking him a cynical young Lothario?

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And, with a little smile, he thought of his aunt next morning, half-arch and half-concerned: “It isn’t nice, dear, to sit out in dark corners, and--well, perhaps, it wasn’t your fault, but still, it isn’t nice--not--quite----” and of how suddenly she had stopped, looking in his face, where his lips were curling in his first ironic laugh.