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 Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

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

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

any specific behavior

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

in addition

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

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

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

chair with a support on each side for arms

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

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

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

damaged by blows or hard usage

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

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

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

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

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

plural of “calculation” — the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

-ing form of “collide” — be incompatible; be or come into conflict

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

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

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

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

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

having been demonstrated or verified beyond doubt

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

plural of “desk” — a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

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

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

plural of “entrance” — something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

divisible by two

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

plural of “exit” — an opening that permits escape or release

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

more than is needed, desired, or required

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

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

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

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

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

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

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

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

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

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

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

and nothing more

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

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

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

engage in

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

lost temporarily; as especially put in an unaccustomed or forgotten place

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

held or filled or in use

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

-ing form of “overturn” — turn from an upright or normal position

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

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

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

with speed

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

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

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

a building where young people receive education

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

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

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

not in physical motion

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

characterized by or performed with much energy or force

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

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

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

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

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

up to a particular time

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

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

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

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

From this reading The question of extra benches had also come up for consideration, and the girls had demonstrated to their complete satisfaction that two people of ordinary size could be seated comfortably at each desk.

characterized by variety

From this reading AUNT ABIGAIL IS MISLAID The little country schoolhouse had been the scene of varied activity that morning.

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

From this reading Absorbed in these fascinating calculations, they had failed to notice how rapidly the time was passing, till Dorothy began to complain of being hungry.

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

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

at the time that

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Equipped with tape-measures the girls had calculated to a nicety just how much furniture the platform could accommodate, and still give the performers room to make their entrances and exits without colliding with the armchair or overturning the small table.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Even in term time, when the battered desks were occupied, it is a question whether a forenoon's program would have been more strenuous.