Chapter I

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

From this reading Published October, 1903.

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

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

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

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

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

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

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

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

damaged by blows or hard usage

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

plural of “desk” — a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

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

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

an item inserted in a written record

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

at any time

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment)

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

stratified stone that splits into pieces suitable as paving stones

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

of or relating to or characteristic of Greece or the Greeks or the Greek language

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

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

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

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

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

most important element

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading Published October, 1903.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

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

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

and nothing more

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

a course of conduct

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading Published October, 1903.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

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

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

cut with a saw

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

an educational institution

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

a removable board fitted on the side of a wagon to increase its capacity

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

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

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

past form of “smell” — inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

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

From this reading Miss Ellen Baily kept school in the brick basement of her old frame house on Main Street.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

in or at that place or location

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

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

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

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

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading The children used to come up a flagstone path to the side door, and then step down two steps into an entry.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading On the wall behind her was a faded print of "Belshazzar's Feast"; in those days this was probably the only feasting the room ever saw--although on a thin-legged sideboard there were two decanters (empty) and a silver-wire cake-basket which held always three apples.

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

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

a Caucasian

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Two rooms opened on this entry; in one the children sat at small, battered desks and studied; in the other Miss Baily heard their lessons, sitting at a table covered with a red cloth, which had a white Grecian fret for a border and smelled of crumbs.