Chapter I

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

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

(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 But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Lovely weather for Christmas holidays!

rid of obstructions

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

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

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

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

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

every person

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

five years of age

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lovely weather for Christmas holidays!

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading Lovely weather for Christmas holidays!

plural of “icicle” — ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Lovely weather for Christmas holidays!

engage in

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

the light of the Moon

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

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

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

not any; not one

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.

plural of “pond” — a small lake

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

the sport of gliding on skates

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

the act of spending or disbursing money

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

in or at that place or location

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

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

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

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

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Lovely weather for Christmas holidays!

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

From this reading by Olive Molesworth, E. Nesbit, L.L. Weedon, etc.

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

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

in or at the place that

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

characteristic of or occurring in winter

From this reading _THERE_ was skating on the ponds where the snow had been cleared; there were icicles on the trees, nice blue, clear skies in the daytime, cold, bright, wintry moonlight at night.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But to one little five-year-old man, nothing had seemed lovely this Christmas, though he was spending it with his Father and Mother and his big sisters at Grandpapa’s beautiful old country-house, where everybody did all that could be done to make Grandpapa’s guests happy.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Ernest · Nister · London · E · P · Dutton & Co. New York · No. 3233.