Chapter I

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

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

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

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

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

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

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

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

a substance used to produce a shiny protective surface on footwear

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

the childhood of a boy

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

a United States coin worth one tenth of a dollar

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

a quad with a square body

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

feeling no fear

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

your parents

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

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

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

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

From this reading “I vum!

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

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

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

engage in

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

and nothing more

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

above and across; more than

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

a full supply

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

playful in an appealingly bold way

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

personal independence

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

past form of “smear” — stain by smearing or daubing with a dirty substance

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

possessive form of “speaker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

plural of “stain” — a soiled or discolored appearance

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

in or at that place or location

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

in spite of the fact that

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

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

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

not known

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading “I vum!

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

From this reading I eenamost feel as if I was lost, though there do seem to be plenty o’ folks round.”

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

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

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

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Blue eyes peered out from the dark stains around them with a roguish twinkle, and there was a certain fearless independence in his looks and attitude which could not fail to show the most casual observer the fearlessness and self-reliance of his nature.

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

From this reading The features were regular enough, and would have been quite handsome had it not been for big patches of shoe blacking smeared over cheek and brow.

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

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.

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

From this reading “Black yer boots and make ’em shine; only cost ye half a dime!” cried a cheery voice at the speaker’s elbow, and, looking down, the tall man was surprised to see a specimen of boyhood quite unknown to him.