Chapter I

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

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

coverings that are used on a bed

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

plural of “broomstick” — the handle of a broom

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

ruined by overcooking

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

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

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

opinion or judgment

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

a bed with posts at the four corners that can be used to support a canopy or curtains

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

plural of “gargoyle” — a spout that terminates in a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

-ing form of “gurgle” — flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

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

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

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

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

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

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

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

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

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

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

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

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

expressing sorrow

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

nocturnal arboreal marsupial having a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

past form of “slate” — designate or schedule

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

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

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

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

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

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

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

communicated in words

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

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

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading Even the old colonial house, with its new slated roof and the strange terracotta gargoyles--that Coppertop was certain-sure had moved several times since they were first put up there--shook and shuddered in the bitter south wind which blew down from the ranges.

at the time that

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading A ’possum on the roof uttered a plaintive gurgling cry, which sent a little shiver down her back, and she snuggled under the bedclothes, thankful for their cosy protection.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading She sat up in the big four-poster and listened to the wind as it blew round the house.

plural of “witch” — a female sorcerer or magician

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.

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

From this reading But to-night the old bed felt less “snuggly” than usual, and she had a strange “I-wonder-what-will-happen-next” feeling, which would not allow her to sleep.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It was such a night as witches love, when they fly about on broomsticks, and you feel sure-as-sure there is a black cat with green, staring eyes, hiding behind the burnt log in the chimney corner.