Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

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

From this reading The noise suggested an avalanche of falling boxes.

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

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain

From this reading The noise suggested an avalanche of falling boxes.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He turned back to his office.

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

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

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

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading The noise suggested an avalanche of falling boxes.

lacking funds

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

a young person of either sex

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading The noise suggested an avalanche of falling boxes.

yet to be or coming

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

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

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

American revolutionary patriot who was president of the Continental Congress; was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence (1737-1793)

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

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

From this reading He turned back to his office.

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

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

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

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

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

From this reading He turned back to his office.

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

From this reading II.

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

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

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

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

according to the clock

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading He turned back to his office.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

above and across; more than

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

not taken into account

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

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

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

not arrogant or presuming

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The noise suggested an avalanche of falling boxes.

express in words

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

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

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

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

From this reading He turned back to his office.

male cat

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He turned back to his office.

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

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

look attentively

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

at the time that

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

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

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

marked by repeated turns and bends

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.

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

From this reading On the quay he paused to tell Tom Hancock that he reckoned the child would be more careful in future: he had given her something to think over.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading A week later, at nine o'clock, Elder Penno was retiring to rest in his bedroom, which overlooked his boat-building yard, when a clattering noise broke on the night without, and so startled him that he all but dropped his watch in the act of winding it.