Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchial tubes

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

not fake or counterfeit

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

a young female

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

with gloom

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

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

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

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

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

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

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

the act of indulging or gratifying a desire

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

immediately past

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

for more time

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

feeling or showing love and affection

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

and nothing more

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

used to form the superlative

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

not any; not one

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

-ing form of “repay” — pay back

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

cut with a saw

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

in the near future

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

believed likely

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

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

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Of course Elspeth took to repaying his attentions by loving him, and he soon suspected it, and then gloomily admitted it to himself, but never to Shovel.

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

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

(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 This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

at the time that

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

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

From this reading When Tommy first heard his mother call it croop, he thought she was merely humoring Elspeth, and that it was nothing more distinguished than London whooping-cough, but on learning that it was genuine croop, he began to survey the ambitious little creature with a new interest.

belonging to which person

From this reading This was well for Elspeth, as she had now to spend most of the day at home with him, their mother, whose health was failing through frequent attacks of bronchitis, being no longer able to carry her through the streets.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE GIRL WITH TWO MOTHERS Elspeth at last did something to win Tommy's respect; she fell ill of an ailment called in Thrums the croop.