Chapter XXIV

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

(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 Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

possessive form of “billy” — a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading "I can't remember a blamed thing," he mumbled, with a catch in his throat.

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

given or giving freely

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

-ing form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading "I can't remember a blamed thing," he mumbled, with a catch in his throat.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading "I can't remember a blamed thing," he mumbled, with a catch in his throat.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

give encouragement to

From this reading "Cheer up," teased Henrietta, gently.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

stretch (the neck) so as to see better

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

full of events or incidents

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

in a gradual manner

From this reading "Cheer up," teased Henrietta, gently.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading "Cheer up," teased Henrietta, gently.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

tell false information to for fun

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

past form of “mumble” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading "I can't remember a blamed thing," he mumbled, with a catch in his throat.

information about recent and important events

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

on one occasion

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

and nothing more

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

above and across; more than

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

To recall to mind.

From this reading "I can't remember a blamed thing," he mumbled, with a catch in his throat.

in a reminiscent manner

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

cut with a saw

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

the activity of supplying or providing something

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

feeling mild pleasurable excitement

From this reading "Cheer up," teased Henrietta, gently.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

a special situation

From this reading "I can't remember a blamed thing," he mumbled, with a catch in his throat.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading "I can't remember a blamed thing," he mumbled, with a catch in his throat.

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

From this reading Billy, with brightening eyes, was certainly enjoying it all, particularly the part about Terrible Tim.

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

From this reading "Cheer up," teased Henrietta, gently.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

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

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

at the time that

From this reading "Once," began Billy, reminiscently, "when I was a kid I saw----" But what Billy had seen could only be guessed, for the brightness slipped from his eyes and he pulled the corner of his blanket over his face.

during the time that

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Billy's Memory WHILE Mrs. Crane was supplying Dave with a bountiful meal, the girls were telling Billy about Rosa Marie, Marjory, Aunty Jane, the porcupine--in short, all the news of that eventful day.