Chapter I

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

(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 He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading TROTTY VECK AND HIS DAUGHTER MEG.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

for the reason that

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading But Toby was of a cheerful disposition, and looked on the bright side of everything.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading But Toby was of a cheerful disposition, and looked on the bright side of everything.

a female human offspring

From this reading TROTTY VECK AND HIS DAUGHTER MEG.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

dearly loved

From this reading His greatest joy was his dear daughter Meg, who loved him dearly.

in a sincere and heartfelt manner

From this reading His greatest joy was his dear daughter Meg, who loved him dearly.

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

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

your usual mood

From this reading But Toby was of a cheerful disposition, and looked on the bright side of everything.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading But Toby was of a cheerful disposition, and looked on the bright side of everything.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

the act of departing

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

highest in quality

From this reading His greatest joy was his dear daughter Meg, who loved him dearly.

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

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading His greatest joy was his dear daughter Meg, who loved him dearly.

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

From this reading TROTTY VECK AND HIS DAUGHTER MEG.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading His greatest joy was his dear daughter Meg, who loved him dearly.

the literary culture

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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 He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But Toby was of a cheerful disposition, and looked on the bright side of everything.

held dear

From this reading His greatest joy was his dear daughter Meg, who loved him dearly.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading TROTTY VECK AND HIS DAUGHTER MEG.

plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But Toby was of a cheerful disposition, and looked on the bright side of everything.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading But Toby was of a cheerful disposition, and looked on the bright side of everything.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

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

From this reading TROTTY VECK AND HIS DAUGHTER MEG.

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

From this reading TROTTY VECK AND HIS DAUGHTER MEG.

precisely as stated

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

plural of “weather” — the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading He did not earn very much, and had to be out in all weathers and all day long.

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

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.

which person or people

From this reading "Trotty" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a porter, and carried letters and messages for people who were in too great a hurry to send them by the post.