Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

later than; following

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

dearly loved

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

brought into existence

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

a period of 100 years

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

a person who is in charge

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

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

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

a hilly county in southwestern England

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

approval

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

increase twofold

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

the process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical or physical or mechanical means

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

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

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

the act of departing

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

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

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

immediately past

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

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 Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

not one, and not any

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

all of the offspring of a given progenitor

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

Identical; not different.

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

unhealthy looking

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

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

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

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

From this reading Among the many strange and surprising events that help to fill the accounts of this last century, I know none that merit more an entire credit, or are more fit to be preserved and handed to posterity than those I am now going to lay before the public.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

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

From this reading His parents were of mean extraction, but honest, industrious people, and well beloved in their neighbourhood.

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

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

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

From this reading His father's chief business was to work at the tin mines; his mother stayed at home to look after the children, of which they had several living at the same time.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Dickory Cronke, the subject of the following narrative, was born at a little hamlet, near St. Columb, in Cornwall, on the 29th of May, 1660, being the day and year in which King Charles the Second was restored.

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

From this reading Our Dickory was the youngest, and being but a sickly child, had always a double portion of her care and tenderness.