used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
dearly loved
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
ENLISTINGnounUS /enˈlɪstɪŋ/
the act of getting recruits; enlisting people for the army (or for a job or a cause etc.)
From this reading ENLISTING.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
Johnny'snounUS /ˈdʒɑːniz/
possessive form of “johnny” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
Leslies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
informal terms for a mother
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
and nothing more
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
move stealthily
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
Taffy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Leslie smiled at Johnny’s conclusion; she did not think that was the reason, and she said,— “He looks perfectly well, dear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
precisely as stated
From this reading A gradual, but very great change had come over him since Taffy’s death.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
at the time that
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He had grown nearly as cheerful as he was before it happened, and did not seem to be exactly unhappy, but only the day before, Johnny had said to his mother,— “I don’t think Jim can be well, mamma; he let slip the best kind of a chance for taking me off, the way he’s so fond of doing, this morning, and when I come to think of it, he hasn’t said any of those things for a good while.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was Sunday, and Jim was walking home from church with the Leslies.
