Chapter VIII

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

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

possessive form of “amos” — a Hebrew shepherd and minor prophet

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

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

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

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

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

have

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

a strong flame that burns brightly

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Elmer was inside the cabin “fussing around,” as he called it.

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

From this reading Elmer was inside the cabin “fussing around,” as he called it.

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

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

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 He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

the act of closing something

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

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

From this reading Elmer was inside the cabin “fussing around,” as he called it.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

(usually followed by “to”) determined by tragic fate

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

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

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

-ing form of “fuss” — worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading Elmer was inside the cabin “fussing around,” as he called it.

assemble or get together

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

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

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

plural of “happening” — an event that happens

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

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

From this reading Elmer was inside the cabin “fussing around,” as he called it.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

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

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

a single distinct event

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Elmer was inside the cabin “fussing around,” as he called it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

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

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

producing or capable of producing (especially abundantly)

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

plural of “repair” — the act of putting something in working order again

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

deliver by singing

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

unusual or striking

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

not in physical motion

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

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

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

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

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

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

From this reading The day, however, was fated to see still further singular happenings before closing.

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

From this reading AMOS’S STRANGE ACTIONS The incident of the climbing black bear was closed around four that first afternoon in camp.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Altogether it had been productive of considerable excitement, and amusement as well.

at the time that

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.

a specific feeling of desire

From this reading He had cleaned out the shabby old fireplace, making a few badly needed repairs, so that the chimney might draw properly when they came to start a blaze there evenings, wishing to gather around, and chat or sing as the humor seized them.