Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

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

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading Sproatly took a bundle of papers out of his pocket and laid them on the table.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

not as far along as normal in development

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

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

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

United States architect who formed and important architectural firm with John Merven Carrere (1860-1929)

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

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

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

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

From this reading Sproatly took a bundle of papers out of his pocket and laid them on the table.

the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

and nothing more

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Sproatly took a bundle of papers out of his pocket and laid them on the table.

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

the force of workers available

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

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

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sproatly took a bundle of papers out of his pocket and laid them on the table.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

above and across; more than

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Sproatly took a bundle of papers out of his pocket and laid them on the table.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Sproatly took a bundle of papers out of his pocket and laid them on the table.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

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

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

distribute loosely

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Sproatly took a bundle of papers out of his pocket and laid them on the table.

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

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

under normal conditions

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

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

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

at the time that

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

a Caucasian

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.

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

From this reading The two hired men, whom Mrs. Hastings had not kept waiting, had gone out to some task in the barn or stables.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Sproatly and Winifred had just driven over from the railroad settlement, as they did now and then, and that was why the meal, which was usually served early in the evening, had been delayed an hour or so.

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

From this reading Hastings sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Hastings at the foot with her little daughters, and Agatha, Sproatly, and Winifred between them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A DELICATE ERRAND There was a sharp frost outside, and the prairie was white with a thin sprinkle of snow, when a little party sat down to supper in the Hastings homestead, one Saturday evening.