Chapter II · Joe Maxwell Makes a Start

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

later than; following

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

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

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

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

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

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

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

a youthful male person

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

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

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

a New England state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

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

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

form a curl, curve, or kink

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

set up or found

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

a man of refinement

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

a state in southeastern United States; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

the act of giving

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

a marketplace where groceries are sold

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

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

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

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

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

attractive and tempting

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

staying power

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

the literary culture

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

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

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

above and across; more than

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

past form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

the person in charge of a post office

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

plural of “spring” — the season of growth

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

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

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading It was not an inviting seat, for in some places the springs peeped through, and one of its legs was broken, giving it a suspicious tilt against the wall.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

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

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

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

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

precisely as stated

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Over against the wall on one side was a faded green sofa.

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

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading But a certain little boy found one corner of the rickety old sofa a very comfortable place, and he used to curl up there nearly every day, reading such stray newspapers as he could lay hands on, and watching the people come and go.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading The post-office in the middle Georgia village of Hillsborough used to be a queer little place, whatever it is now.

which person or people

From this reading It was fitted up in a cellar; and the postmaster, who was an enterprising gentleman from Connecticut, had arranged matters so that those who went after their letters and papers could at the same time get their grocery supplies.