Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

later than; following

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

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

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "I haven't read much," Foster answered modestly.

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

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

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

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

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

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

the state of being decayed or destroyed

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

-ing form of “earn” — earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

promote the growth of

From this reading "I haven't read much," Foster answered modestly.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

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

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

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

From this reading "I haven't read much," Foster answered modestly.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

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

From this reading "I haven't read much," Foster answered modestly.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

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

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

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

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

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

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

with modesty; in a modest manner

From this reading "I haven't read much," Foster answered modestly.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "I haven't read much," Foster answered modestly.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading "I haven't read much," Foster answered modestly.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

having strong sexual appeal

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

worthless material that is to be disposed of

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

be seated

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

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

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.

separate into parts or portions

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

not in physical motion

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

measuring instrument for measuring temperature

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

at the time that

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

a Caucasian

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

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

From this reading "Still, we have a few books at the mill, and in the long winter evenings, when the thermometer marks forty degrees below and you sit close to the red-hot stove, there's nothing to do but read.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading Perhaps it's curious, but after working hard all day, earning dollars, one can't read rubbish.

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

From this reading It would be hard for you to picture our little room; the match-boarding, split by the changes from heat to bitter cold, the smell of hot iron, the dead silence, and the grim white desolation outside.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It looks as if you had been reading something about our history," Alice said smiling.