Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

United States clergyman who was a leader for the abolition of slavery (1813-1887)

From this reading By Harriet Beecher Stowe.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

in a busy manner

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By Harriet Beecher Stowe.

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)

From this reading OLDTOWN FIRESIDE STORIES.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading By Harriet Beecher Stowe.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

a professional person trained in library science and engaged in library services

From this reading In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

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

From this reading OLDTOWN FIRESIDE STORIES.

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

with low volume

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading OLDTOWN FIRESIDE STORIES.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

United States writer of a novel about slavery that advanced the abolitionists' cause (1811-1896)

From this reading By Harriet Beecher Stowe.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

express in words

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

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

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

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 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

during the time that

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading “Come, Sam, tell us a story,” said I, as Harry and I crept to his knees, in the glow of the bright evening firelight; while Aunt Lois was busily rattling the tea-things, and grandmamma, at the other end of the fireplace, was quietly setting the heel of a blue-mixed yarn stocking.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871 By James R. Osgood & Co.