Chapter I

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

(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 An expressive bookshelf, as all bookshelves are.)

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

From this reading An expressive bookshelf, as all bookshelves are.)

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading An expressive bookshelf, as all bookshelves are.)

possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

completely unclothed

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

the sacred writings of the Christian religions

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

a shelf on which to keep books

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

plural of “bookshelf” — a shelf on which to keep books

From this reading An expressive bookshelf, as all bookshelves are.)

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a clergyman ministering to some institution

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior and law enforcement

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

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

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

characterized by expression

From this reading An expressive bookshelf, as all bookshelves are.)

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

be excessively hot

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

past form of “jostle” — make one's way by jostling, pushing, or shoving

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

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

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

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

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

plural of “pamphlet” — a small book usually having a paper cover

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

English literary critic who collaborated with C. K. Ogden and contributed to the development of Basic English (1893-1979)

From this reading BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE," "ELIZABETH FRY," ETC.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a simple seat without a back or arms

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

express in words

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

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

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

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

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

(of pages) worn or soiled by thumb and fingers by frequent handling or turning

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

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

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

the funds of a government or institution or individual

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading The chaplain seemed to be waiting for some one.

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

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading (Bible, Concordance, Shakespeare, the "Life of John Howard," Pickwick, the "Golden Treasury"; these, thumbed and shabby, jostled the latest works on prison reform and criminology.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading He was sitting in his office, as usual at this hour of the morning the little bare office in a corner of Shoreham State Prison, with its worn desk and stool, its chair facing the window (what tales that chair could tell, if it had power of speech!), its piles of reports and pamphlets, its bookshelf within arm's reach of the desk.