Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

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

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

plural of “antenna” — an electrical device that sends or receives radio or television signals

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

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

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

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

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

having the form of a cylinder

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

greatly pleased

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

extend in scope or range or area

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

plural of “eyelash” — any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

opinion or judgment

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

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

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

set up or found

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

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

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

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

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

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

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

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

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

engage in

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

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

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

edible viscera of a butchered animal

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

the local environment

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

an unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

a state of social isolation

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

shining with brilliant points of light like stars

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

caught or fixed

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

draw into the mouth by creating a practical vacuum in the mouth

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

having something on top

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

confined on all sides

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

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

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

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

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

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

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

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

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.

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

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

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

From this reading Piccolissima had now time enough to contemplate a being whose organs she thought were like her own in their weakness.

belonging to which person

From this reading Delighted at the discovery of companions in her solitude, companions, too, whose language she could understand, Piccolissima was eager to make their acquaintance; so she offered them her stick of candy.

comparative of “wide” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading She found pleasure in examining the extraordinary form of its almost cylindrical body, divided into three parts, and a head wider than it was long, an irregular globe surmounted by two horns, or antennae, as they are called.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading The wings of one of them remained stuck together on its back, and it made a great effort to extend them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading One of the flies--it was the elder--having fixed upon the little prodigy one of the thousand faces of his brown, sparkling eyes, surrounded with golden eyelashes, he then placed, one by one, his little black feet upon the stick of sugar candy, stretched forth his trunk, and began to suck with eagerness.