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 If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

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

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

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

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

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

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

for the reason that

From this reading I know because I have tried it a dozen times.

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

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

a youthful male person

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

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

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading I know because I have tried it a dozen times.

a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

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

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

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

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

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

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

English general and statesman who led the parliamentary army in the English Civil War (1599-1658)

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I know because I have tried it a dozen times.

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

From this reading I know because I have tried it a dozen times.

third-person singular of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

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

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

an old word for “no”

From this reading Nay, verily!

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

express or signify by nodding

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

traveling or passing over land

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

register formally as a participant or member

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

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

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

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

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

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

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The poems in this collection are those that children love.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading I know because I have tried it a dozen times.

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

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading I know because I have tried it a dozen times.

in truth; certainly

From this reading Nay, verily!

producing exhaustion

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading With the exception of seven, they are short enough for children to commit to memory without wearying themselves or losing interest in the poem.

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

From this reading If one boy learns “The Overland Mail,” or “The Recruit,” or “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” or “The Song in Camp,” or “Old Ironsides,” or “I Have a Little Shadow,” or “The Tournament,” or “The Duel,” nine boys out of ten will be eager to follow him.