used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
(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 To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
auburnadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbərn/
(of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
for the reason that
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
exhale hard
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
commencementnounUS /kəˈmensmənt/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
commencesverbUS /kəˈmensəz/
third-person singular of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
make reference to
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
and nothing more
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
persuadedverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪd/
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
plaidnounUS /plæd/
a cloth having a crisscross design
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
and nothing more
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
having a supporting base
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
termedverbUS /tɜːrmd/
past form of “term” — name formally or designate with a term
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
twelve-year-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, she was only six over in that little first chapter, but to be quite honest, that wasn't a first chapter at all.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
wistfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɪstfəl/
showing pensive sadness
From this reading The wind was tossing her auburn hair and winding her little plaid skirt close about her, but was not strong enough by half to blow a sad, wistful look from her brown eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So the real story commences with a twelve-year-old Courage standing one May morning on the edge of a wharf at the foot of a West side street.
a late time of life
From this reading At the time of the commencement of our story Courage was twelve years old.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It was simply what is termed an introduction, but we did not dare to mention the fact, because, if you will believe it, that is something many people cannot be persuaded to read.
