Chapter VIII · Farmington

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

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

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

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

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

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

next to; at the side of

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

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

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

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

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

inflected form of “empty” — make void or empty of contents

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

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

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

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

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

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

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

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

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

the act of retaining something

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

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

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

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

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

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

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

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

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

not any; not one

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

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

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

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

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

on the contrary

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

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

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

express in words

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

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

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

in or at or to some place

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

required or under orders

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

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

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

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

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

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

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Our house stood a short distance beyond the town, and on the other side of the creek that ran my father’s mill.

not known

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading But I used to go quite early across the creek to the little town; at first holding my father or mother tightly by the hand, or, rather, having my hand held close by theirs.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

precisely as stated

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

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

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

look attentively

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

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

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

in or at the place that

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Many years before, I had heard that there was such a place, but I was not allowed to go; it was so far away, and the dangers were supposed to be so very great,—though why, I cannot say, any more than I can give a reason for other things that we boys believed, or, for that matter, that we grown-up folk believe.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading This little stream came down out of the hills from somewhere a long way off, and emptied into the river that wound through the long valley beside the road, flowing from no man knew where.

a late time of life

From this reading I must have been nine or ten years old before I was allowed to go to the mouth of the stream and watch it join the river and run off between the high hills beyond the town into the great unknown world.