Chapter I

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

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

(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 _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Some authors talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

lacking hair on all or most of the scalp

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Some authors talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

accept an excuse for

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

English poet remembered primarily for his free translation of the poetry of Omar Khayyam (1809-1883)

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Some authors talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

having a blunt nose

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

United States clarinetist and leader of a swing band (1910-2004)

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

and nothing more

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading Some authors talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some authors talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Some authors talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface.

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

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

under normal conditions

From this reading Usually it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself.

precisely as stated

From this reading Some authors talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface.

at the time that

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

which person or people

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

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

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

past form of “wink” — signal by winking

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.

third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Mr. George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.