Chapter II

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

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading THE TALK IN AN APPLE TREE.

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading THE TALK IN AN APPLE TREE.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

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

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

the region of the angle formed by the junction of two branches

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

to a considerable degree

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

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

From this reading THE TALK IN AN APPLE TREE.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

and nothing more

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

filled with a great quantity

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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 "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

unhurried and relaxed

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading "Oh, shucks!

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

have amorous affairs; of men

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

any of numerous superior eating apples with yellow or greenish yellow skin flushed with red

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

something of little value

From this reading "Oh, shucks!

move stealthily

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

carry out

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading THE TALK IN AN APPLE TREE.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

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

From this reading THE TALK IN AN APPLE TREE.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

very lively and profitable

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading THE TALK IN AN APPLE TREE.

the topmost one of two

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

wedged or packed in together

From this reading I've got the upper end wedged fast in the crotch along the outside of this limb, Chatz.

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

From this reading A NUMBER of active boys were perched high among the heavily laden branches of a big fall pippin apple tree, back of the old Philander Smith house, located just outside the limits of the thriving town of Hickory Ridge.

belonging to which person

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"

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

From this reading "Take care, Landy!" called out Chatz Maxfield, whose soft, mellow voice told of his Southern birth; "that long ladder might chance to slip, suh, and it would be a long ways to the ground!"