Chapter XXXI

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

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

(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 new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

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

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

-ing form of “celebrate” — behave as expected during of holidays or rites

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

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

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

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

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

plural of “dance” — an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading THE FINANCIER’S DINNER.

plural of “dinner” — the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

plural of “evergreen” — a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

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

From this reading THE FINANCIER’S DINNER.

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

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

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

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

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

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

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

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

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

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

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

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

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

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

the force of workers available

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

the property of being multiple

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

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

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

above and across; more than

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

not in physical motion

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

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

From this reading THE FINANCIER’S DINNER.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

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

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

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

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

which person or people

From this reading Grown-up people who have been good-natured have assisted, and helped their boys play with candles and with evergreens as they helped them play with fire-crackers on the fourth of July, that other great feast or holy-day our calendar still keeps.

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading For now the children’s play is over; and the winter’s balls are to begin in earnest, a serious business, as we have said.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Grown people who have not been good-natured have kept to their clubs, mostly, men to men; and the women have snatched the chance to get a week of resting and a little early sleep.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The new year has come; and all the world has been celebrating, with children’s dances and with children’s dinners and with a multiplicity of costly toys, the birth of Christ.