Chapter XIX · Thick Ice and Thin

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

in the past

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

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

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

past form of “contend” — maintain or assert

From this reading This, Tavia, contended, was the only real way of knowing it was a holiday.

causing one to believe the truth of something

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading This, Tavia, contended, was the only real way of knowing it was a holiday.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

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

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

and nothing more

From this reading This, Tavia, contended, was the only real way of knowing it was a holiday.

above and across; more than

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

a human being

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading This, Tavia, contended, was the only real way of knowing it was a holiday.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

a party of former associates who have come together again

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

an educational institution

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

to move hurriedly

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

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

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

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

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

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

From this reading This, Tavia, contended, was the only real way of knowing it was a holiday.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

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

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

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

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

up to a particular time

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

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

From this reading Tavia had succeeded in convincing Dorothy that on a holiday trip, one should never get up until two minutes before breakfast was served, and then to scramble madly to reach the table in time.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading This, Tavia, contended, was the only real way of knowing it was a holiday.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

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

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

at the time that

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading “Does it really seem possible that a few days ago we were country school girls?” mused Dorothy, as she and Tavia lay wide awake the next morning, waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The owner of the voice on the telephone had appeared in less than a minute in the person of Bob, and before greetings were over the Major, with Nat, Roger and Joe, appeared, and there was a grand reunion.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading When the boys took Bob off to see New York, the girls retired.