Chapter I · Chapter 1

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

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

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Kensingtowe, of course, is the finest school in England, and Bramhall its best house.

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

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Kensingtowe, of course, is the finest school in England, and Bramhall its best house.

exhibiting courtesy and politeness

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the United States; created in 1977

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

possessive form of “doe” — the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the United States; created in 1977

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

the younger brother of Edwy who became king of Northumbria when it renounced Edwy; on Edwy's death he succeeded to the throne of England (944-975)

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Kensingtowe, of course, is the finest school in England, and Bramhall its best house.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Kensingtowe, of course, is the finest school in England, and Bramhall its best house.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

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

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

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

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading Kensingtowe, of course, is the finest school in England, and Bramhall its best house.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Kensingtowe, of course, is the finest school in England, and Bramhall its best house.

term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

characterized by grandeur

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

above and across; more than

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

a human being

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

possessive form of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

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

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

an educational institution

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

a person, without saying who

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

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

From this reading "I'm the best-looking person in this room," said Archibald Pennybet.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

up to a particular time

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

interact in a certain way

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

(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 "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."

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

From this reading It was an early morning of the Kensingtowe Summer Term, and the three of us, Archie Pennybet, Edgar Gray Doe, and I, Rupert Ray, were waiting in the Junior Preparation Room at Bramhall House, till the bell should summon us over the playing fields to morning school.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now, Pennybet, though not himself courteous, always insisted that Doe and I should treat him with proper respect, so, since he was senior and thus magnificent, I'll begin by describing him.

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

From this reading "Ray's face looks as though somebody had trodden on it, and Doe's--well, Doe's would be better if it had been trodden on."