Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

anew

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

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

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

(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 There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

causing irritation or annoyance

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

(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 There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

divisible by two

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

at any time

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

come to pass

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

an event that happens

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

someone who makes and sells hats

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

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

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

and nothing more

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

hear with intention

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

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

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

roused to anger

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

come together

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

used to form the superlative

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

many times at short intervals

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

above and across; more than

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

a human being

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

express in words

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

English cartoonist (1820-1914)

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

a special situation

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

not according with the facts

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

at the time that

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

in or at the place that

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

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

From this reading There is not the least occasion for the story to be true; indeed I think the untrue stories are the best--those in which we meet delightful beasts and things that talk twenty times better than most human beings ever do, and where extraordinary events happen in the kind of places that are not at all like our world of every day.

during the time that

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

a Caucasian

From this reading How much better we know Alice herself and the White Knight and the Mad Hatter and all the rest of them from the pictures than even from the story itself.

which person or people

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

a specific feeling of desire

From this reading It is so fine to be taken into a country where it is always summer, and the birds are always singing and the flowers always blowing, and where people get what they want by just wishing for it, and are not told that this or that isn't good for them, and that they'll know better than to want it when they're grown up, and all that kind of thing which is so annoying and so often happening in this obstinate criss-cross world, where the days come and go in such an ordinary fashion.

a place or scene of great or strange beauty or wonder

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Almost the pleasantest thing in the world is to be told a splendid story by a really nice person.

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

From this reading But if I might choose the person to tell me the kind of story I like to listen to, and hear told to me over and over again, it would be some one who could draw pictures for me while talking--pictures like those of Tenniel in _Alice in Wonderland_ and _Through the Looking-Glass_.