Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

using the voice; not silently

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

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

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

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

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

a container that is usually woven and has handles

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

the time you go to bed

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

with brightness

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

past form of “crackle” — make a crackling sound

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

softened by the addition of cushions or padding

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

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

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

brought together in one place

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

a newspaper or official journal

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

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

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

a social unit living together

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

a short coat

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

game equipment consisting of one of several small six-pointed metal pieces that are picked up while bouncing a ball in the game of jacks

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

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 By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

in a joyous manner

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

flexible twig of a willow tree

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over it

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

susceptible to being led or directed

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

an attendant who rocks a child in a cradle

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

plural of “slip” — a socially awkward or tactless act

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

an operation that segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

very large in expanse or scope

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

be standing; be upright

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

push forcefully

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

up to a particular time

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

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

From this reading To supplement the light from candle and fire, a huge hickory knot had been thrust into the fireplace, against one of the andirons.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

the act of using

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

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

From this reading "SETTIN' TILL BEDTIME" One night in November the Rogers household had gathered as usual around the hearth in the spacious living-room.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

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

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

creating fabric

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

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

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

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

From this reading By its light Henry was weaving a basket, the floor around him littered with the long, pliable osier slips which the twins were sorting for his use.

coated with whitewash

From this reading The fire roared and crackled merrily, dancing on the whitewashed walls, and shining brightly on the brass andirons and the glass doors of the cupboard.

which person or people

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.

superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The candle-stand stood in the center of the room; on one side of it sat Abner Dudley, reading aloud from the "Kentucky Gazette"; on the other, Mrs. Rogers, seated in the cushioned rocker, was patching a linsey jacket for Tommy, who, with his youngest brother, was playing jackstones on the floor behind the stand.