Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

a period of 100 years

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a young person of either sex

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

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

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

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

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

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

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth

From this reading *The Kingdom of the Greedy.

United States writer of hard-boiled detective fiction (1894-1961)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

someone who plays the harp

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

in this place or thing or document

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

United States publisher who founded a printing shop that became an important book publisher (1823-1895)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a domain in which something is dominant

From this reading *The Kingdom of the Greedy.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a room where books are kept

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

used to form the superlative

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

a brief written record

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading _By P. J. Stahl_ Thankful.

approval to do something

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

United States philosopher (1876-1957)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

make a copy or equivalent of

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

plural of “selection” — the act of choosing or selecting

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

United States author of surrealistic allegorical plays (born in 1943)

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

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

From this reading _By P. J. Stahl_ Thankful.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

plural of “story” — 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 What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading _By P. J. Stahl_ Thankful.

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

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

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

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What Every Child Should Know Library Editor of "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories," Etc.

which person or people

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

in the company of; together with

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of the Century Company, Ginn & Co., the J. L. Hammett Company, Harper & Brothers, the Houghton, Mifflin Company, the J. B. Lippincott Company, the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, the Outlook Company, the Perry Mason Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and others, who have granted permission to reproduce herein selections from works bearing their copyright.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading (Note.--The stories marked with a star (*) will be most enjoyed by younger children; those marked with a (dagger) are better suited to older children.)