Chapter IV

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

of the most contemptible kind

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

the state of being absent

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

(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 He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

affected with madness or insanity

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

disabled in the feet or legs

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

put on clothes

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

something many people believe that is false

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

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

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

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

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

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

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

a social unit living together

From this reading Mrs. Peck ruled the household with a rod of iron.

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading Mrs. Peck ruled the household with a rod of iron.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Peck ruled the household with a rod of iron.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

and nothing more

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

a small storeroom for storing foods or wines

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

hit lightly with a picking motion

From this reading Mrs. Peck ruled the household with a rod of iron.

possessive form of “peck” — (often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

plural of “plague” — a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading Mrs. Peck ruled the household with a rod of iron.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

subject to a ruling authority

From this reading Mrs. Peck ruled the household with a rod of iron.

make a dry crackling sound

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

a person who is owned by someone

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

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

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

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

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

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

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He was a kind old man, and took a great fancy to the children, but his kindness was shown only in Mrs. Peck's absence.

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

From this reading The old butler, Smythe by name, was her abject slave.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A Crippled Knight MISS GUBBINS had a difficult time for those first few weeks in the old house, and she longed for the advent of the master.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs. Peck ruled the household with a rod of iron.

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

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He would call them into his pantry, and give them all kinds of dainties such as children love, but let but the silk dress of Mrs. Peck rustle by, and he would drive them out in surly fright, muttering as he did so: "Away with you, ye young plagues, a-comin' and a-worryin' round and a-drivin' a body nearly crazy!"