Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)

From this reading MISS ANNE.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

earlier than; in front of

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

past form of “chime” — emit a sound

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading 'Not when they were out of hearing?' exclaimed Tim.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading 'Not when they were out of hearing?' exclaimed Tim.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

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 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading MISS ANNE.

informal term of address for someone's wife

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

immediately following in time or order

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading 'Not when they were out of hearing?' exclaimed Tim.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

and nothing more

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading 'Not when they were out of hearing?' exclaimed Tim.

arrange in a container

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

make a promise or commitment

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

a mild rebuke or criticism

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

express in words

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

possessive form of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

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

From this reading 'Not when they were out of hearing?' exclaimed Tim.

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.

precisely as stated

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading 'And I'm the missis,' chimed in Martha, 'but I can't say how long it may be afore we have to pack off;' and she gave Tim a very long account of the master's visit the day before, finishing her description of Stephen's conduct in a tone of mingled reproach and admiration: 'And he never said a single curse at them!'

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

From this reading 'Not when they were out of hearing?' exclaimed Tim.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading 'I couldn't,' answered Stephen; 'I knew what I ought to do then, if I wasn't quite sure about fighting thee, Tim.

at the time that

From this reading 'So thee's the only master here,' said Tim when he came up the hill next evening, according to his promise, to help Stephen in his garden.