Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

(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 The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

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

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

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

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

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

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

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

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

an open river valley (in a hilly area)

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

plural of “demonstration” — a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

the totality of surrounding conditions

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

divisible by two

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

plural of “expedition” — a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

-ing form of “explore” — inquire into

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

give expression to

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

a social unit living together

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

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

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

at ease in talking to others

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

in a free manner

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

superlative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

a social unit living together

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

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

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

a Hebrew minor prophet

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

possessive form of “joel” — a Hebrew minor prophet

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

immediately past

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

go away from a place

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

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

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

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

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

on one occasion

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

formed into a structured or coherent whole, particularly on a large scale

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

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

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

land and the buildings on it

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

established beyond doubt

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

plural of “reinforcement” — a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

in a shrill voice

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

in a shy or timid or bashful manner

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

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

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

not known or well known

From this reading The demonstrations of five excited children, introduced into an environment entirely unfamiliar, proved absorbing to all the household.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Little feet clattered on the stairs and shrilly sweet voices announced discoveries from garret to cellar.

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

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.

which person or people

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the exception of the baby who clung shyly to Persis, refusing to leave her side, the new reinforcements to the Dale family at once organized exploring expeditions about the premises.

pull back or move away or backward

From this reading Joel, who had improved the first opportunity to withdraw to his own room, pushed the heaviest chair against the door in lieu of a key and sat in the chair.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A WOMAN AT LAST Even if Joel's command of English had enabled him to express himself freely regarding his sister's latest acquisition, the opportunity was not immediately forthcoming.