Chapter VIII · Still Piecing Out the World

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

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

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

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

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

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

in a state of sleep

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

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

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

-ing form of “bridge” — connect or reduce the distance between

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

a social or business visitor

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

a stick that people can lean on to help them walk

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

a feeling of being intimate and belonging together

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

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

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

opinion or judgment

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

plural of “gap” — a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

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

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

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

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

a room where books are kept

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

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 They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

make a map of; show or establish the features of details of

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

a human being

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

only a very short time before

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

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

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

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

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading The map of the United States in Edward E. Allison’s library began, now, to develop little streaks of red.

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

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

precisely as stated

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

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

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading It was the little stretches, sometimes scarcely over an inch, which he drew with such evident pleasure from day to day, and now, occasionally, as he passed in and out, he stopped by the big globe and gave it a contemplative whirl.

which person or people

From this reading On the day he joined his far western group of little marks by bridging three small gaps, he received a caller in the person of a short, well-dressed, old man, who walked with a cane and looked half asleep, by reason of the many puffs which had piled up under his eyes and nearly closed them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading There were long gaps between them, but these did not seem to worry him very much.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading They were not particularly long streaks, but they were boldly marked, and they hugged, with extraordinary closeness, the pencil mark which Allison had drawn from New York to Chicago and from Chicago to San Francisco.