Chapter X

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

later than; following

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

plural of “comb” — a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

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

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

adult female chicken

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

plural of “hen” — adult female chicken

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

a small worthless amount

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

set down according to a plan

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

immediately past

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

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

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

come together

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

existing or coming before

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

plural of “rooster” — adult male chicken

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

in the near future

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

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 _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

express in words

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

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

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

plural of “trial” — the act of testing something

From this reading He will tell them how the former at last became old hens, and laid eggs, and cackled like their ancestors; and how the latter, after many funny trials, learned to crow, and finally to fight, as their fathers and grandfathers had done before them.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

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

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

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

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading He had watched the chickens with a great deal of care, and he was greatly diverted to see the little roosters, as soon as they had little bits of red combs on their heads, try to crow and fight.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.

which person or people

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

belonging to which person

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

in the company of; together with

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading If any of my readers meet with Jack, who is now a man, they can ask him, and he will tell them how the greater part of the brood grew up to be pullets or cockerels, and made a considerable noise in the world.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading _The poultry yard._ I shall not undertake to tell the whole history of the old hen and chickens, whose story is begun in the preceding chapter.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I must tell you, myself, what Jack said to his aunt about this fighting.