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 That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

(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 That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading He was an inharmonious note in its staid preciseness.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

having hair on the cheeks and chin

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

brought into existence

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

according to ordinary expectations

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

past form of “detract” — take away a part from; diminish

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

a feeling of liking for another person; enjoyment in their company

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

come to pass

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

not in harmony

From this reading He was an inharmonious note in its staid preciseness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

Jewish heroine in one of the books of the Apocrypha; she saved her people by decapitating the Assyrian general Holofernes

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

and nothing more

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

having characteristics that attract love or affection

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

an officious annoying person who interferes with others

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

possessive form of “noah” — the Hebrew patriarch who saved himself and his family and the animals by building an ark in which they survived 40 days and 40 nights of rain; the story of Noah and the flood is told in the Book of Genesis

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

a brief written record

From this reading He was an inharmonious note in its staid preciseness.

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

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

out of fashion

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

decrease gradually or bit by bit

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

by chance

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

clarity as a consequence of precision

From this reading He was an inharmonious note in its staid preciseness.

carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

assume a prim appearance

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

one who is employed to saw wood

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

past form of “scrape” — scratch repeatedly

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

a feeling of fear of embarrassment

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

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

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

characterized by dignity and propriety

From this reading He was an inharmonious note in its staid preciseness.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

that is on a string

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

maintained at length without interruption or weakening

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

any of numerous sun-loving low-growing evergreens of the genus Armeria having round heads of pink or white flowers

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

not shrinking from danger

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

poor and often mischievous city child

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

precisely as stated

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

in a hearty manner

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

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

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

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

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

a Caucasian

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

belonging to which person

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading That made things difficult from the very start--that and the fact that he arrived in the village two days before Christmas strung to such a holiday pitch of expectation that, if you were a respectable, bewhiskered first citizen like Jimsy's host, you felt the cut-and-dried dignity of a season which unflinching thrift had taught you to pare of all its glittering non-essentials, threatened by his bubbling air of faith in something wonderful to happen.

uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement

From this reading He had arrived at twilight, just as the first citizen was about to read his evening paper, and he had made a great deal of noise, yelling back at old Austin White, whose sleigh had conveyed him from the station to the house, a "S'long, Uncle!" pregnant with the friendliness of a conversational ride.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Author of "The Lovable Meddler," "Diane of the Green Van," "Uncle Noah's Christmas Party," etc. New York Robert M. McBride & Company His name was Jimsy and he took it for granted that you liked him.

a young person of either sex

From this reading He had scraped away his snow-heels with a somewhat sustained noise, born perhaps of shyness, and now, as he stood in the center of the prim, old-fashioned room, a thin, eager youngster not too warmly clad for the bite of the New England wind, Abner Sawyer felt with a sense of shock that this city urchin whom Judith had promised to "Christmas," detracted, in some ridiculous manner, from the respectability of the room.