Chapter XV

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

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

in addition

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

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

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

for the reason that

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

in a benign manner

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

(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 Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

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

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

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

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

promote the growth of

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

possessive form of “foster” — United States songwriter whose songs embody the sentiment of the South before the American Civil War (1826-1864)

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

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

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

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

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

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

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

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

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

made by intertwining threads in a series of connected loops rather than by weaving

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

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

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

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

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

clean or organized

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

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

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

in a persistent manner

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

short and plump

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

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

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

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

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

plural of “success” — an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

moderately warm

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

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

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

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

From this reading Mr. Foster strolled slowly round the neat paths, his podgy hands clasped behind his back, and continued to survey benignly.

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

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

in an unnecessary manner

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.

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

From this reading Interesting Scene in a Tool-Shed Reginald Foster was surveying his garden.

at the time that

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

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

From this reading Every morning, when it was fine, Reginald Foster surveyed his garden, and both of them felt the better for it; Mr. Foster, because the garden, which was a large one, stood for his success in life and Mr. Foster liked surveying his successes; the garden, because surely nothing could come under Mr. Foster’s benignant survey and not feel the better for it.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading From a window at the back of the fat red house behind him Mrs. Foster was also doing a little surveying.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She was a tepid, pale-haired little woman, and she knitted a good deal, persistently and quite unnecessarily.