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 "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

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

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

a youthful male person

From this reading "Jack was going nigh to a thirty clip" "Go it, old boy!"

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun

From this reading "Jack was going nigh to a thirty clip" "Go it, old boy!"

under normal conditions

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

unvarying in nature

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a Protestant layman who assists the minister

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

your parents

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

set up or found

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "Jack was going nigh to a thirty clip" "Go it, old boy!"

the act of departing

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

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

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

past form of “hoot” — to utter a loud clamorous shout

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

a small worthless amount

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

apprehended with certainty

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "What's the matter with the pesky thing?"

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances

From this reading "Jack was going nigh to a thirty clip" "Go it, old boy!"

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

not one, and not any

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

causing irritation or annoyance

From this reading "What's the matter with the pesky thing?"

a separate part of a whole

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

in a round manner

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

English novelist who settled in Australia after World War II (1899-1960)

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

the kinship relation between a female offspring and the siblings

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

the profession of a teacher

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

express in words

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "What's the matter with the pesky thing?"

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a special situation

From this reading "What's the matter with the pesky thing?"

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading "Jack was going nigh to a thirty clip" "Go it, old boy!"

up to a particular time

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Little Alice Dorchester begged him to stay" "Old Jack was a horse of a great deal of character" "Hillow, Deacon, ain't you going to shake out old shamble-heels to-day?"

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a convict who is considered trustworthy and granted special privileges

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

a brief literary description

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading Tail piece THE OLD BEGGAR'S DOG (Illustrated by A.B. SHUTE) Vignette Initial--"Trusty" "The old man and his dog were constant companions" "He was teaching the dog a new trick" "It was to the honor of the crowd that they hooted the officer roundly" Tail piece

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

From this reading "What's the matter with the pesky thing?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading "What's the matter with the pesky thing?"

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

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

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Miranda belonged to that sisterhood commonly known as spinsters" "Ha, none of that, you woolly-coated rogue, you" "I want to talk with you about the church" "Tell the folks that you won't be back till night" "It was found that the parson could steer a sled"