Chapter I

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

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

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

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But Geoffrey was not looking at, nor thinking of the rooks.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Geoffrey was not looking at, nor thinking of the rooks.

plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

person who does no work

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

conveyance consisting of a wheeled support on which a camera can be mounted

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

twice as great or many

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

start firing a weapon

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

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

From this reading GEOFF'S LITTLE SISTER.

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

From this reading But Geoffrey was not looking at, nor thinking of the rooks.

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

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

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

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading GEOFF'S LITTLE SISTER.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading But Geoffrey was not looking at, nor thinking of the rooks.

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

From this reading But Geoffrey was not looking at, nor thinking of the rooks.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Geoffrey was not looking at, nor thinking of the rooks.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

a child's room for a baby

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

plural of “rook” — (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading GEOFF'S LITTLE SISTER.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading But Geoffrey was not looking at, nor thinking of the rooks.

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

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

at or nearest to the top

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

displeasing to the senses

From this reading "Dolly Do-Nothing," "An Ugly Hero," "Free to Serve," etc.

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

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.

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

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

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

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading It was the end of November, and the cold winds were sweeping over the country, swaying the rooks backwards and forwards, as they perched on the topmost branches of the trees, opposite the nursery window.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He sat doubled up before the fire, with his feet on the fender, staring at the red coals.