Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

past form of “administer” — work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

possessing life

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

(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 My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

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

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

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

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

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

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

a person who is in charge

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

the act of participating in the celebration of the Eucharist

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

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

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

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

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

a social unit living together

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

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

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

of the present time and place

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

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

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

immediately past

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

informal terms for a mother

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

not one, and not any

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

with low volume

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

an established ceremony prescribed by a religion

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

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

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

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

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading She stooped down and kissed me many times, to conceal her tears, probably.

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

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Call me mamma now, dearest," she said, at last; "and let the name be as a new compact between us.

precisely as stated

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

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

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

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

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

at the time that

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

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

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

a Caucasian

From this reading When the solemn rite was ended, I made my way to Constance, so fair that day in her pearl-gray robes and simple white bonnet, and clasped her hand.

which person or people

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.

in the company of; together with

From this reading My father's marriage was solemnized very quietly in that old gray church with its fairy chime of bells, all alive on that occasion, which stood in the busy street not far from our quiet house.

someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading An aged and reverend bishop, who had administered the sacred communion to Washington and his wife when the city we dwelt in had been the temporary residence of that chief, performed the ceremony, which, with the exception of my father's immediate household and neighbors, none were invited to witness.