Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

later than; following

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

a youthful male person

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

a small house with a single story

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

at any time

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Who would want to take it from you, mother?”

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

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

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading “What was the income last year?” inquired Herbert.

past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading “What was the income last year?” inquired Herbert.

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

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

immediately past

From this reading “What was the income last year?” inquired Herbert.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

the force of workers available

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

not any; not one

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

held or filled or in use

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

and nothing more

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

precisely, exactly

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

that is looked for

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

carry out

From this reading “Who would want to take it from you, mother?”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

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

From this reading “Who would want to take it from you, mother?”

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading “Who would want to take it from you, mother?”

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What was the income last year?” inquired Herbert.

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

From this reading “If we could only keep the post office, mother, we should be all right,” said Herbert Carr, as he and his mother sat together in the little sitting room of the plain cottage which the two had occupied ever since he was a boy of five.

which person or people

From this reading “Who would want to take it from you, mother?”

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

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Who would want to take it from you, mother?”

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading “What was the income last year?” inquired Herbert.

an affirmative

From this reading “Yes, Herbert, but I am afraid there won't be much chance of it.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Who would want to take it from you, mother?”