Chapter IV

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

later than; following

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

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

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

the time you go to bed

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

a strong flame that burns brightly

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Rose’s cushion was blue, and she sat on the left.

with brightness

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

full of energetic and noisy activity

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

start firing a weapon

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

come to pass

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

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

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Rose’s cushion was blue, and she sat on the left.

set afire or burning

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

engage in

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

poke or thrust abruptly

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

possessive form of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Rose’s cushion was blue, and she sat on the left.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Kenneth’s cushion was red, and he always sat on the right hand of the fireplace.

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

From this reading Rose’s cushion was blue, and she sat on the left.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

a special situation

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

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

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

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

From this reading Kenneth and Rose ran to get their fat cushions, and put them down in the two corners of the hearth.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Papa began to poke the fire to make it burn more brightly, for it was not so big and bustling a blaze as usual.

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

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE ANTS’ FIRE-ESCAPE It was not quite bedtime; for they had tea early at the Island, so that after the fire was lighted in the big chimney the children might have a little hour with the grown-ups for a game or a story, or for whatever pleasant thing might happen.