Chapter II

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

(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 It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

heard or perceptible by the ear

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

a sheath worn to protect a finger

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

a conversation between two persons

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

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

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

at any time

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

the act of departing

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

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

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

inflected form of “hug” — hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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 Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had not thought that it was possible that he could have been overheard.

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

on one occasion

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading He had not thought that it was possible that he could have been overheard.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading He had not thought that it was possible that he could have been overheard.

To recall to mind.

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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 Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading He had not thought that it was possible that he could have been overheard.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

a message informing of danger

From this reading A warning knock came upon the bedroom door, and that particular story was cut short never to be resumed.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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

From this reading It was the time when his mother and grandmother were dining, and his nurse and all the other servants were down below.

at the time that

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

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

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Once on a summer’s evening, when he had been lying in his little cot by his mother’s bed, whiling away the long daylight hour by telling himself a most absorbing story, which at that time he was going through from night to night, he had become so worked up by it that he carried on the dialogue in a clear audible voice.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He had always hugged secrets to himself ever since he could remember, secrets that it would have seemed to him the deepest shame that any one should surprise.