Chapter II

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading There was an air of bustle pervading the upper regions.

(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 The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

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

From this reading There was an air of bustle pervading the upper regions.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading THE BOYS.

a rapid active commotion

From this reading There was an air of bustle pervading the upper regions.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading It was growing very exciting.

increased in extent or size or bulk or scope

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

-ing form of “furbish” — polish and make shiny

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

plural of “groove” — a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading It was growing very exciting.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was growing very exciting.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

in the recent past

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

a female domestic

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

on one occasion

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

-ing form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through

From this reading There was an air of bustle pervading the upper regions.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

with low volume

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading There was an air of bustle pervading the upper regions.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

past form of “store” — keep or lay aside for future use

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

dependable

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading THE BOYS.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was an air of bustle pervading the upper regions.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

the topmost one of two

From this reading There was an air of bustle pervading the upper regions.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was growing very exciting.

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

From this reading It was growing very exciting.

possessive form of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

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

From this reading The life of the little house, which had hitherto run so quietly in its grooves, now seemed all at once changed and expanded.

which person or people

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Genefer, and a stout young maid lately engaged as joint-helper to her and the cook, were busy for two whole days in turning out a great attic which formed the top story of the little house, making room in other holes and corners for the boxes and odds and ends which had been stored there, and furbishing up this place as a bedroom for the boys, who were expected in a week's time.