Chapter XI · Brevet Scores a Point

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

anew

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

using the voice; not silently

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

any person at all

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

dearly loved

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

plural of “elli” — (Norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

a young female

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

the act of departing

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

in a joyous manner

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

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

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

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

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

immediately past

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

not any; not one

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

more desirable than another

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

on the contrary

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

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

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

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

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

in the near future

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But, happily, for that happy summer there was to be no sorrowful ending.

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

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

precisely as stated

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading The chapter had certainly a rather ominous title, and if any one was going to die she preferred to go to bed.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

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

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

which person or people

From this reading “Is anybody going to die in this chapter?” asked a little girl who is very dear to me, as we were reading aloud last evening.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.

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

From this reading Grandma Ellis was soon quite herself again, and Joe improved so much that it seemed as though he would probably be able to move about his cabin again some day.

produce a literary work

From this reading Now if we had happened to have been reading this story together, I am pretty sure I should have met the same question; for, what with Joe ill in bed, and Grandma Ellis ill at Ellismere, and both of them pretty old people, it does look, I admit, as though there might be something sad to write about it.