Chapter I

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

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

completely unclothed

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

patterned with alternating squares of color

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

pleasingly persuasive or intended to persuade

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

plural of “cot” — a sheath worn to protect a finger

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

put on clothes

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

a clothing fabric in a plaid weave

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

past form of “grace” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

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

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

and nothing more

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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 The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

and nothing more

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

to a pitiful degree

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

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

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

a small piece of cloth or paper

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

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

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

the act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush and soap and water

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

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

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

being one more than fifteen

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

containing little excess

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

very drunk

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

resembling or having the qualities of soap

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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

From this reading The long, bare room had never been graced by a picture or a curtain.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

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

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

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

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

used especially of timbers or boards; bent out of shape usually by moisture

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

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

From this reading Its only furniture was twenty narrow iron cots.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

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

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

move with a whining sound

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

a Caucasian

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

which person or people

From this reading The fourth, who directed their labors, rising from her knees sometimes to help one of her small crew, was just turned sixteen, but she looked in her short, skimpy dress of faded blue and white checked gingham, not more than twelve or thirteen.

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

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

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

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Sal-lee,” the six-year-old called out in a coaxing whine, as she sloshed a dirty rag up and down in a pail of soapy water, “play-act for us, won’t you, Sal-lee?

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Four girls were scrubbing the warped, wide-planked floor, three of them pitifully young for the hard work, the baby of them being only six, the oldest nine.