Chapter I

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

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

the state of being absent

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

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

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

auguring favorable circumstances and good luck

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

plural of “cedar” — any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

unpleasantly cool and humid

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

an occurrence that results in things being united

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

obvious to the eye or mind

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

done or made or performed with purpose and intent

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

the operator of a motor vehicle

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

lighted by or as if by twilight

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

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

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

start firing a weapon

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

a gay feeling

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

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

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

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 "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

English economist noted for his studies of international trade and finance (1907-1995)

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

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

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

a tubular acoustic device inserted in the exhaust system that is designed to reduce noise

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

and nothing more

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

comparative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

a small or medium size container for holding or carrying things

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

with reluctance

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

cause to move back by force or influence

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

only a very short time before

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

being ten more than sixty

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

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

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

not in physical motion

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

plural of “strap” — an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

take away possessions from someone

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

with success; in a successful manner

From this reading It was a big, shabby room, combining, as successfully as its owner, an aspect of gaiety with a conspicuous absence of comforts.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

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

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

create by training and teaching

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

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

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

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

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

at the time that

From this reading The train was late that day, and when the old leather mail pouch was brought in, dripping wet, by Jonas, the negro driver, Mrs. Meade put down the muffler she was knitting, and received it reluctantly.

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

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

during the time that

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.

which person or people

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "At least there aren't any bills at this time of the month," she observed, with the manner of one who has been designed by Providence to repel disaster.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Since wood was scarce, and this particular strip of southside Virginia grew poorer with each year's harvest, the only fire at The Cedars was the one in "the chamber," as Mrs. Meade's bedroom was called.

a late time of life

From this reading While she unbuckled the clammy straps, her full, round face, which was still fresh and pretty in spite of her seventy years, shone like an auspicious moon in the dusky glow of the fire.