Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

later than; following

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

anew

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

(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 was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

any person at all

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

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

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

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

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

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

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

recorded for broadcast

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

the best people or things in a group

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

move gently or carefully

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

at any time

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

an agenda of things to do

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

plural of “farm” — workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

an occurrence of something

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

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

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

and nothing more

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

a dealer in textiles (especially silks)

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

the property of being extremely abundant

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

on the contrary

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

possessing material wealth

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

a particular instance of selling

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

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

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

plural of “tale” — 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 was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

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

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

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

From this reading "Bessie," said Eleanor, after breakfast, "this is rather different from the Hoovers, isn't it?"

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.

plural of “vegetable” — edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

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

From this reading A STRANGE MEETING Breakfast on the farm was just such another meal as supper had been.

(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 There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

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

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

belonging to which person

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was rich, thick cream, for instance, fresh fruit and all sorts of good things, so that anyone whose whole acquaintance with country fare was confined to what the Mercer farm provided might well have believed all the tales of the good food of the farm.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Bessie knew, of course, without ever having thought much about it, that on many American farms, despite the ease with which fresh fruits and vegetables are to be had, a great deal of canned stuff is used.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Again Bessie wondered at the profusion of good things that, at the Hoovers, had always been kept for sale instead of being used on the table.