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 When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

the branch of pure mathematics dealing with the theory of numerical calculations

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

show off

From this reading Piccolissima, from her education, resembled the flies a little too much to boast of her perseverance.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading The eyes most excited her curiosity.

a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading Piccolissima, from her education, resembled the flies a little too much to boast of her perseverance.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading The eyes most excited her curiosity.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The eyes most excited her curiosity.

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

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

a social unit living together

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

in tiny pieces

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the very first group which she undertook to count, that on the right side of the fly, she had not counted a sixteenth part.

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

From this reading Piccolissima, from her education, resembled the flies a little too much to boast of her perseverance.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

set up or found

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading In the very first group which she undertook to count, that on the right side of the fly, she had not counted a sixteenth part.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading The eyes most excited her curiosity.

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

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

ten 10s

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The eyes most excited her curiosity.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Piccolissima, from her education, resembled the flies a little too much to boast of her perseverance.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading In the very first group which she undertook to count, that on the right side of the fly, she had not counted a sixteenth part.

Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in success. (Sự kiên trì, bền bỉ không bỏ cuộc.)

From this reading Piccolissima, from her education, resembled the flies a little too much to boast of her perseverance.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

plural of “pin” — a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading Piccolissima, from her education, resembled the flies a little too much to boast of her perseverance.

precisely, exactly

From this reading In the very first group which she undertook to count, that on the right side of the fly, she had not counted a sixteenth part.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

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

From this reading In the very first group which she undertook to count, that on the right side of the fly, she had not counted a sixteenth part.

coming next after the fifteenth in position

From this reading In the very first group which she undertook to count, that on the right side of the fly, she had not counted a sixteenth part.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

caught or fixed

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading The eyes most excited her curiosity.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading She attempted to count their numerous little faces, so regular, so finely cut into hexagons, more polished, more brilliant than diamonds.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Piccolissima, from her education, resembled the flies a little too much to boast of her perseverance.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading In the very first group which she undertook to count, that on the right side of the fly, she had not counted a sixteenth part.

precisely as stated

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

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

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

at the time that

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading When Piccolissima had counted one hundred, she drew from a very small box, which was a family treasure, some minikin pins, and stuck one of them into the cushion on which she was seated, intending thus to mark every hundred that she counted; but she had not counted thus half a thousand, before she found that breath and knowledge failed her; in truth, she did not know enough of arithmetic to count the eyes of a fly.