Chapter III · Cedric's Friends

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

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

later than; following

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

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

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

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

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

a youthful male person

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

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

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

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

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

plural of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

first in order of birth

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

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

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

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

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

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

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

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

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

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

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

notable English cricketer (1882-1963)

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.

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

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

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

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

informal terms for a mother

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

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

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

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 In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

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

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

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

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading He was obliged to hear it two or three times before he could understand it.

lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

precisely as stated

From this reading In the first place, the story his mamma told him was a very curious one.

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

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading There was never a more amazed little boy than Cedric during the week that followed; there was never so strange or so unreal a week.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.

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

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It began with earls; his grandpapa, whom he had never seen, was an earl; and his eldest uncle, if he had not been killed by a fall from his horse, would have been an earl, too, in time; and after his death, his other uncle would have been an earl, if he had not died suddenly, in Rome, of a fever.

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

From this reading He could not imagine what Mr. Hobbs would think of it.