Chapter IX · On the Stroke of Nine

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

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

(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 And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

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

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

possessive form of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

an accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed that are yet to be dealt with (especially unfilled customer orders for products or services)

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

for the reason that

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

capable of wounding

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

plural of “blast” — a very long fly ball

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

a wind that blows from the north

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

in a busy manner

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

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

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

past form of “crackle” — make a crackling sound

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

a baby bed with sides and rockers

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

an opposing military force

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

more than is needed, desired, or required

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

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

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

plural of “gust” — a strong current of air

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

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

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

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

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

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

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

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

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

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

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

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

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

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

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

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

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

a quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

the middle of the day

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

resist doing something

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

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

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading How he howled and screamed down the chimney at his enemy, the fire!

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

with low volume

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

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

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

up to a particular time

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

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

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

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

From this reading Late one afternoon—it was the day before Christmas—Balser and Jim were seated upon the extra backlog in the fireplace, ciphering.

toward the west

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

at the time that

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

during the time that

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Snow had begun to fall at noon, and as the sun sank westward the north wind came in fitful gusts at first, and then in stronger blasts, till near the hour of four, when Boreas burst forth in the biting breath of the storm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs. Brent was sitting in front of the fire in a rude home-made rocking-chair, busily knitting, while she rocked the baby’s cradle with her foot and softly sang the refrain of “Annie Laurie” for a lullaby.

intense anger (usually on an epic scale)

From this reading And how the fire crackled and spluttered and laughed in the face of his wrath, and burned all the brighter because of his raging!