Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

later than; following

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

adult female chicken

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading Now, too, she wore neat and pretty clothing.

(of hair) having curls or waves

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

a small replica of a person; used as a toy

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

only a very short time before

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

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

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

plural of “kennedy” — 35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

clean or organized

From this reading Now, too, she wore neat and pretty clothing.

in a nice way

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

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

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

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

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading She had a small, pleasant room all for herself and her doll, and Miss Kennedy had taught her how to keep it in order.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

bound or secured closely

From this reading Her dark curly hair was nicely brushed, and tied with fresh ribbons.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Now, too, she wore neat and pretty clothing.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading Biddy was not pretty, but she had a clear skin--now the dirt was washed off--and bright, earnest eyes.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

at the time that

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

which person or people

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Now, too, she wore neat and pretty clothing.

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

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading Any one who had seen Biddy O'Dolan in the old hard days, when she was dirty and ragged and wretched and rude, and lived in the street, and slept in a cellar, would hardly have known her if he had seen her three weeks after she came to live with the Kennedys.