Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

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

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

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

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

of or resembling or typical of a college or college students

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

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

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

turn aside; turn away from

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

a long fixed look

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

of the present time and place

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I did not like Plato.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

in motion

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I did not like Plato.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

above and across; more than

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

ancient Athenian philosopher; pupil of Socrates; teacher of Aristotle (428-347 BC)

From this reading I did not like Plato.

possessive form of “plato” — ancient Athenian philosopher; pupil of Socrates; teacher of Aristotle (428-347 BC)

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

on the contrary

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

a domain in which something is dominant

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

moving with great haste

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

a meeting for execution of a group's functions

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Something moving on the ledge attracted my attention: it was a scurrying black ant.

a wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

possessive form of “tomorrow” — the day after today

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

conducive to or feeling mental discomfort

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The little man dared to venture into the realm of the Gods--but the Gods were cruel!_] The early morning streetcar, swaying and rattling along its tracks, did as much to divert my attention from the book I was reading as the contents of the book itself.

belonging to which person

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading My gaze wandered from the book and drifted out the distorted window, then fell to the car-sill as I thought over Plato's conclusions.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.

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

From this reading Comfortable though the seat was, I was as uncomfortable as any collegiate could be whose mind would rather dwell upon tomorrow's football game than the immediate task in hand--the morning session with Professor Russell and the book on my lap.