Chapter I

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

(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 _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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 _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

see with attention

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading “He was a little Rumpty-Dudget of a man,” she said, concluding her description.

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

-ing form of “describe” — give a description of

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading “He was a little Rumpty-Dudget of a man,” she said, concluding her description.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

a person who is markedly small

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

an ornamental facade

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

something acquired without compensation

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

the younger of the two Grimm brothers remembered best for their fairy stories (1786-1859)

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

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

From this reading “He was a little Rumpty-Dudget of a man,” she said, concluding her description.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading “He was a little Rumpty-Dudget of a man,” she said, concluding her description.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading “He was a little Rumpty-Dudget of a man,” she said, concluding her description.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

informal terms for a mother

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading “He was a little Rumpty-Dudget of a man,” she said, concluding her description.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

and nothing more

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

a dwarf in one of the fairy stories of the brothers Grimm; tells a woman he will not hold her to a promise if she can guess his name and when she discovers it he is so furious that he destroys himself

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

express in words

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

deeply or completely

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

third-person singular of “stoke” — stir up or tend; of a fire

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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 But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

moving very fast

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

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

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

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

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

at the time that

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She may have meant to say, “Rumpelstiltskin,” the name of a dwarf immortalised in the Grimm fairy-tales, with which we had been familiar in our childhood.

belonging to which person

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Copyright, for illustrations, 1924, by_ FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ “Rumpty-Dudget, whose only pleasure was in doing mischief, lived in a gray tower” (in color) _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “‘Come with me, Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and Prince Henry’” 14 “The two children took hold of it, and off they all went” 36 “Behold!

the words that are spoken

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.

produce a literary work

From this reading But her variation struck me soundly, and I said to myself, I’ll write a story about him!

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It was the golden ivy-seed” 56 “The cat put Princess Hilda and Prince Frank on the two largest leaves, and got on the stem himself” 68 “‘Oh,’ said Princess Hilda, ‘you look like our mamma’” 70 PREFACE IN 1877, when I was living in Twickenham, near London, my sister Una happened to be describing a queer character she had met that day: she had a gift for making swift and vivid portraits in words.