Chapter XII

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

-ing form of “acknowledge” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “But that would be acknowledging our fear,” protested Dorothy.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

Having no one else present.

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “But that would be acknowledging our fear,” protested Dorothy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator?

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading “But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator?

resist or confront with resistance

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading “But that would be acknowledging our fear,” protested Dorothy.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

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

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

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

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

noisy and mischievous merrymaking

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

any substance used to slow down neutrons in nuclear reactors

From this reading “But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator?

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading “But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator?

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

and nothing more

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “But that would be acknowledging our fear,” protested Dorothy.

above and across; more than

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

plural of “pill” — something that resembles a tablet of medicine in shape or size

From this reading “But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator?

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

past form of “protest” — utter words of protest

From this reading “But that would be acknowledging our fear,” protested Dorothy.

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

Identical; not different.

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator?

and nothing more

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

express a supposition

From this reading “But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

a special situation

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

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

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

a formal word for “on”

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

at the time that

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading A GIRL’S MEAN ACT “There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’

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

From this reading If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”