Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

plural of “be” — a light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

plural of “boarder” — a tenant in someone's house

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

the act of breaking something

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

taking care or paying attention

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

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

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

a female human offspring

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

someone who is a detective

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

turn up, loosen, or remove earth

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

plural of “feller” — a person who fells trees

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

grow vigorously

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

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

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

an utterance expressing pain or disapproval

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

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

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

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

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

engage in

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

used to form the superlative

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

not any; not one

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

filled with bewilderment

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

any competition

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

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

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

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

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

without speaking

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

held in check with difficulty

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

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

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Conversation did not flourish at the supper-table that Friday evening.

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

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

plural of “try” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading DABNEY KINZER TRIES FRESH-WATER FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

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

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

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

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was a puzzled look on the faces of Mrs. Myers and her daughter, and their three boarders seemed to be running a kind of race with each other as to which of them should make out to be the most carefully polite.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading There was talk enough in the room up stairs in the course of the evening; but the door was closed, and there was no chance for any one in the passage outside, no matter how silently he or she might go by, to hear a distinct word of it.

plural of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading As for poor Dick Lee, out there in the kitchen, the nearest he came to breaking the silence was in a sort of smothered groan, and a half-uttered determination to "git up good and early, an' dig dem fellers de bes' worms dey is in de gardin."