Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "What do you mean, my son?" she asked.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

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

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

perceived or discerned

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

characterized by great determination

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

someone who is a detective

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What do you mean, my son?" she asked.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

set up or found

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

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

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

plural of “good” — benefit

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

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

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

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

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

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

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

and nothing more

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

for more time

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading "What do you mean, my son?" she asked.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

United States rock singer (1943-1971)

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "What do you mean, my son?" she asked.

full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

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

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

new

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

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

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

a male human offspring

From this reading "What do you mean, my son?" she asked.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

a special situation

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

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

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

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

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

showing sorrow

From this reading Perhaps had Dick been less noisy as he came up the walk he might have caught his mother in tears; for he felt sure he detected the signs of recent weeping upon her thin face as he entered and threw the package he was carrying on the table.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What do you mean, my son?" she asked.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."

a loose dressing gown for women

From this reading I can start on it to-night, and perhaps finish the whole thing this week," and she opened the package, and examined the goods that had been in the wrapper.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I'm glad you found Mrs. Oliver at home," said Mrs. Morrison, "and she had the work ready.

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

From this reading "You're working too hard as it is, mother," said Dick, putting an arm around her and looking up into her face, "and I've determined that this sort of thing just can't go on any longer."