Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

(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 CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

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

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

past form of “bruise” — injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

plural of “castle” — a large and stately mansion

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

without doubt or question

From this reading Clearly Judith could not skate to-day, so other plans were made for her.

a small house with a single story

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

possessive form of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

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

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

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

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

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

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

a woman host

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

enclosed in the same envelope or package

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Clearly Judith could not skate to-day, so other plans were made for her.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

come together

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

-ing form of “mother” — care for like a mother

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

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

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

a city in northeastern France in Lorraine

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Clearly Judith could not skate to-day, so other plans were made for her.

according to the clock

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Clearly Judith could not skate to-day, so other plans were made for her.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

witty remark

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

only a very short time before

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

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

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

sports equipment that is worn on the feet to enable the wearer to glide along and to be propelled by the alternate actions of the legs

From this reading Clearly Judith could not skate to-day, so other plans were made for her.

plural of “skater” — someone who skates

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

the sport of gliding on skates

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Nancy, of course, must be with the skaters, since she was the hostess, but Sally May insisted on staying at home with Judith.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

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

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

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

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading Clearly Judith could not skate to-day, so other plans were made for her.

unusual or unfamiliar

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

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

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.

at the time that

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

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

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading A neighbouring farmer's wife had promised to have a roaring fire ready for the skaters when they should appear about five o'clock, and the farmer himself was to meet them at the river with his big sleigh.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The plans for the afternoon had included a skating party on the river, ending with a drive out to the Nairns' summer cottage, which had been opened in preparation for this week of winter sports.

past form of “wrench” — twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates

From this reading CASTLES IN THE AIR NEXT morning Judith could scarcely move; her limbs were stiff from the unaccustomed exercise and one shoulder was bruised and wrenched from her fall, so Mrs. Nairn kept her in bed all morning and gave her much petting and mothering.