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 Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

in the past

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had never been taught to say his prayers.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

a youthful male person

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

the act of brushing your teeth

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

plural of “chimney” — 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 Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

one or the other of two

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

plural of “fireplace” — an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

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

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

an interconnected system of things or people

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

not any; not one

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

on one occasion

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

a full supply

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading He had never been taught to say his prayers.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

express in words

From this reading He had never been taught to say his prayers.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

travel by means of steam power

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

sweep across or over

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

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

From this reading He had never been taught to say his prayers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

male cat

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

a source of difficulty

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

at the time that

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

in or at the place that

From this reading He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

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

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

produce a literary work

From this reading He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.

a late time of life

From this reading Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, [Footnote: A boy would have a hard time crawling through some of our chimneys nowadays, but years ago, when houses had open fireplaces instead of steam plants, there was a network of huge chimneys through which a small boy could easily work his way, brushing off the soot as he went.] and his name was Tom.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading That is a short name, and you have heard it before, so you will not have much trouble in remembering it.