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 When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

anew

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

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

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

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

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

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

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

for the reason that

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

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

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

plural of “builder” — a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

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

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

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

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

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

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

one or the other of two

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

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

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

a young female

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

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

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

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

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

to a considerable degree

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

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

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

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

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

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

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

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

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

past form of “lack” — be without

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

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

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

with neatness

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

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

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

on one occasion

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

make a sweeping movement

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

put into a recess

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

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

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

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

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

give a conciliatory gift or bribe to

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

possessive form of “stewart” — United States film actor who portrayed incorruptible but modest heros (1908-1997)

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

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

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

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

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading During the solitary meal it occurred to me to question my aunt, the housekeeper, as to the alarm of the night, which lay heavily once more upon my mind.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

having been warmed up

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

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

From this reading Setting Forth How the Girl Child Was Brought to Us.

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

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

at the time that

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

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

From this reading Some meat and corn-bread were laid for me on the table in Mr. Stewart's room, which was the chief chamber of the house.

any one of a set, it does not matter which

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.

a Caucasian

From this reading Despite the big fire roaring on the hearth, it was so cold that the grease had hardened white about the meat in the pan, and it had to be warmed again before I could sop my bread.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When I came out of my nest next morning--my bed was on the floor of a small recess back of the great fireplace, made, I suspect, because the original builders lacked either the skill or the inclination, whichever it might be, to more neatly skirt the chimney with the logs--it was quite late.