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 Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

eagerly desirous

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

inherent ability

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

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

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

a youthful male person

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

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

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

in another and different manner

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

past form of “dwindle” — become smaller or lose substance

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

opinion or judgment

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

a social unit living together

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

plural of “freckle” — a small brownish spot (of the pigment melanin) on the skin

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

yet to be or coming

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

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

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

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

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

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

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

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

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

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

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

plural of “lack” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

staying power

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

without good reason

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

the state of being a man; manly qualities

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

come together

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

used to form the superlative

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

and nothing more

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

responsive to physical stimuli

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

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

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

in the near future

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

furnishing support and encouragement

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

persistent determination

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

a source of difficulty

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

(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 When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

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

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

at the time that

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

which person or people

From this reading In his anxious eyes was the look of a bread-winner who had begun the struggle too soon.

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

From this reading Billy Wiggs was differently constituted; responsibilities rested upon him as lightly as the freckles on his nose.

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Jim was fifteen and head of the family; his shoulders were those of a man, and were bent with work, but his body dwindled away to a pair of thin legs that seemed incapable of supporting the burden imposed upon them.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading When occasion or his mother demanded he worked to good purposes with a tenacity that argued well for his future success, but for the most part he played and fought and got into trouble with the aptitude characteristic of the average small boy.

but in spite of that

From this reading Life had been a tragedy to Jim: the tragedy that comes when a child's sensitive soul is forced to meet the responsibilities of manhood, yet lacks the wisdom that only experience can bring.