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 On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

(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 The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

react verbally

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

from appearances alone

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

the formal act of approving

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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 On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

a youthful male person

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Well--by--gum!"

the act of encamping and living in tents in a camp

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

the area of the states of North Carolina and South Carolina

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

past form of “cock” — tilt or slant to one side

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

plural of “cone” — any cone-shaped artifact

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

past form of “congregate” — come together, usually for a purpose

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

the best people or things in a group

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

well in the past; former

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

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

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

the organ of sight

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing

From this reading "Well--by--gum!"

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

United States author who wrote the stories about Uncle Remus (1848-1908)

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

plural of “hick” — a person who is not very intelligent or interested in culture

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

plural of “hike” — a long walk usually for exercise or pleasure

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

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

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

(Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

immediately past

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

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

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

not any; not one

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

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

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

by chance

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

in or at that place or location

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

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

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

very lively and profitable

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

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

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

male cat

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

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

From this reading The chickens did not answer him; on the contrary they departed from the platform, seeing, perhaps, that there was no mail for them.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Well--by--gum!"

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

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then he cocked his head to one side, then to the other, squinted first his right eye, then his left, and at last inquired, of the chickens, apparently, "What--in--all--_cre-a-tion_ is this?"

at the time that

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Tom Slade Books The Roy Blakeley Books The Pee-Wee Harris Books Published with the Approval of The Boy Scouts of America Made in the United States of America One fine day in the merry month of August when the birds were singing in the trees and all the schools were closed and hikes and camping and ice cream cones were in season, and the chickens were congregated on the platform of the Hicksville, North Carolina, post office, something of far reaching consequence happened.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading On that day Joshua Hicks, postmaster-general of that thriving world centre, emerged from the post office, adjusted his octagon-shaped, steel-rimmed spectacles exactly half way down his long nose, held a certain large envelope at arm's length and contemplating it with an air of rueful perplexity said,