Chapter IV

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

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

any person at all

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

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

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

past form of “borrow” — get temporarily

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

intentionally conceived

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

approval

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

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

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

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

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

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

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

plural of “hip” — either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

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

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

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

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

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

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

without a sound

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

plural of “pajama” — a pair of loose trousers tied by a drawstring around the waist; worn by men and women in some Asian countries

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

plural of “parcel” — a wrapped container

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

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

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

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

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

the state of being asleep

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

a mixture of seasoned ingredients used to stuff meats and vegetables

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

a special situation

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

in a thoughtful manner

From this reading His task finally done, he glanced down at a tall bundle that stood on the floor almost immediately in front of him, moved back with his hands resting on his hips, and thoughtfully surveyed it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

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

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

in the direction of

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “The idee o’ me, Ephe Trimble, settin’ up sech a thing ez that in his house—at my time o’ life.”

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

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

(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 “Well, ef anybody had ’a’ told it on me I never would ’a’ believed it,” he said, under his breath.

at the time that

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

in or at the place that

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.

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

From this reading He was a fat old man, and as he stood with shaking sides in his loose, home-made pajamas, he would have done credit to a more conscious impersonation of old Santa himself.

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

From this reading When old man Trimble stood before the fireplace at midnight that night, stuffing little parcels into the deep, borrowed stocking, he chuckled noiselessly, and glanced with affection towards the corner of the room where his young wife lay sleeping.