Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

later than; following

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

(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 young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

have

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

form a curve

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

plural of “community” — a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

past form of “concede” — admit (to a wrongdoing)

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

a quad with a square body

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading She’s had troubles enough of her own.”

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

your parents

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

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

From this reading She’s had troubles enough of her own.”

a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading She’s had troubles enough of her own.”

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

and nothing more

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

engage in

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

easily agitated

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

not any; not one

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading She’s had troubles enough of her own.”

past form of “persist” — continue to exist

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

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

From this reading She’s had troubles enough of her own.”

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

a state of acute pain

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

in or at that place or location

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading She’s had troubles enough of her own.”

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

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

From this reading It happened right below lawyer Varnum’s, down at the bend of the Corbury road, just round about the time that Ruth got engaged to Ned Hale.

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

From this reading “Ruth Varnum was always as nervous as a rat; and, come to think of it, she was the first one to see ’em after they was picked up.

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

From this reading All the dwellers in Starkfield, as in more notable communities, had had troubles enough of their own to make them comparatively indifferent to those of their neighbours; and though all conceded that Ethan Frome’s had been beyond the common measure, no one gave me an explanation of the look in his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there.

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

From this reading The young folks was all friends, and I guess she just can’t bear to talk about it.