Chapter I

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

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

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

past form of “boom” — make a resonant sound, like artillery

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

the act of closing something

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

United States neurologist noted for his study of the brain and pituitary gland and who identified Cushing's syndrome (1869-1939)

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

being one more than seven

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

a unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampere-turns

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

the act of departing

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

disabled in the feet or legs

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

pull, or move with a sudden movement

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The six-thirty New York mail was late.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading The six-thirty New York mail was late.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

easily agitated

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The six-thirty New York mail was late.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

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

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

the person in charge of a post office

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

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

From this reading The six-thirty New York mail was late.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

a vagrant

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

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

From this reading The six-thirty New York mail was late.

at the time that

From this reading So late that when the tall clock that faced the line of letter-boxes boomed eight, the usual hour for closing, Oliver Gilbert, the postmaster, ceased his halting tramp up and down the narrow length of the office, head and ears thrown forward in the attitude of a listening hunting-dog.

a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

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 AUTHOR OF "THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "THE OPEN WINDOW," ETC.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Going to the door, he pulled it back with a nervous jerk and peered into the night.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading The six-thirty New York mail was late.