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 Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

later than; following

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

United States astronaut; the first man to set foot on the Moon (July 20, 1969) (1930-)

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

wood of any of various beech trees; used for flooring and containers and plywood and tool handles

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

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

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

-ing form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

in a helpless manner

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

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

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

immediately past

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

take in marriage

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

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

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

used to form the superlative

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

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

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."

held or filled or in use

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

forward in time or order or degree

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

above and across; more than

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

having an owner; often used in combination

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

a course of conduct

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

by chance

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Slowly but surely the sturdy engine struggled on through the huge snowdrifts, reaching Beechwood a little after seven, over an hour and a half behind time.

create by training and teaching

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

superlative of “wealthy” — having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Horace Fairfax was perhaps the most influential, as well as the wealthiest of these; his magnificent home on the brow of the farthest hill was certainly the most imposing and pretentious.

during the time that

From this reading Lester Armstrong swung himself off the rear platform into fully five feet of snow, floundering helplessly about for an instant, while the train plunged onward, and at last struck the path that led up over the hills in the village beyond.

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

From this reading Beechwood consisted of but a few elegant homes owned and occupied by retired New Yorkers of wealth.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "YOU MUST NOT MARRY HIM--HEAVEN INTENDED YOU FOR ME."