Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The country was still new and the farm houses far between.

a youthful male person

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

a New England state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

a cut pile fabric with vertical ribs; usually made of cotton

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The country was still new and the farm houses far between.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The country was still new and the farm houses far between.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

yet to be or coming

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

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

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

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

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The country was still new and the farm houses far between.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

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 Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

possessive form of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

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

From this reading The country was still new and the farm houses far between.

not one, and not any

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

covered with a firm surface

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

by chance

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

a full supply

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

continue talking

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

an educational institution

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

not in physical motion

From this reading The country was still new and the farm houses far between.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

plural of “stump” — the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

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

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

to that

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

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

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

the quality of being of practical use

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

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

From this reading The country was still new and the farm houses far between.

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

From this reading The children were getting old enough to go to school, but there being none, Mr. Filley hired one of the neighbor's daughters to come to his house and teach the children there, so they might be prepared for usefulness in life or ready to proceed further with their education--to college, perhaps in some future day.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Many of the roads leading thereto had been paved with tamarac poles, making what is now known as corduroy roads.

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

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

which person or people

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

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

From this reading Mr. Filley secured Government land in the oak openings, and settled there with his wife and two or three children, the oldest of which was a boy named Willie.

in the company of; together with

From this reading About two miles west father's farm in Jackson county Mich., lived Ami Filley, who moved here from Connecticut and settled about two and a half miles from the town of Jackson, then a small village with plenty of stumps and mudholes in its streets.