Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading A LITTLE UNPLEASANTNESS.

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

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

the act of consuming food

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

set up or found

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

grass mowed and cured for use as fodder

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading A LITTLE UNPLEASANTNESS.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

the property of having little or no contrast; lacking highlights or gloss

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

covered with or smelling of mold

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

being perceived or observed

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

according to the clock

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

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

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

cut with a saw

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

a small and inadequate amount

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Early rising was evidently one of the things to be expected in his new home.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

a measuring instrument or device for keeping time

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

the feeling caused by disagreeable stimuli; one pole of a continuum of states of feeling

From this reading A LITTLE UNPLEASANTNESS.

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

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

in or at the place that

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

which person or people

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Reaching the barn, Matt found Mr. Noman engaged in feeding a dozen or more gaunt and ill-kept cows, which seized the musty hay thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested on their part a scarcity of rations.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was still dark and the rain fell in torrents as Matt opened the kitchen door and ran hastily out to the barn, where Mrs. Noman, who was making preparations for breakfast, had told him he would find her husband.

but in spite of that

From this reading He noticed the kitchen timepiece as he passed through the room and saw it was not yet four o'clock.