Chapter II

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

(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 Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

in addition

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

possessive form of “baker” — someone who bakes commercially

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

the largest city in Maryland; a major seaport and industrial center

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

of short duration or distance

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

(of racket strokes) made with palm facing direction of stroke

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

a young female

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

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

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

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

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

by a particular locality

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

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

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

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

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

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

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

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

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

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

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

of or relating to the system for delivering mail

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

a man who delivers the mail

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

possessive form of “saturday” — the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

plural of “saturday” — the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

an educational institution

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

the act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush and soap and water

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

the season of growth

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

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

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

with vigor; in a vigorous manner

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

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

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

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

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

at the time that

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.

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

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.

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

From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.

a late time of life

From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.