Chapter XIV

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

a defendant in a criminal proceeding

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

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

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

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

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

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

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

let fall to the ground

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

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

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

superlative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

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

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

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

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

and nothing more

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

go away from a place

From this reading 'And leave us?' we said, when she told us.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

engage in

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

superlative of “nice” — pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

many times at short intervals

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

existing in great number or quantity

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'And leave us?' we said, when she told us.

express in words

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

be seated

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

the season of growth

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

make square

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

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

From this reading I believe it was for this reason that she suddenly began to say that she must go away.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading 'And leave us?' we said, when she told us.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

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

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading 'And leave us?' we said, when she told us.

precisely as stated

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading She always had the hardest knee in the house to sit on, though it was the nicest knee, and now her fingers grew so thin that the rings began to drop off them, and then _we_ were accused of having taken them.

(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 CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

at the time that

From this reading CATAPUK About the spring time, when the grass in the square garden was not so often wet and the birds made more noise there and the nests were more plentiful, Auntie May seemed not so very well.

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

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading 'I don't think I can make up my mind to leave you, dears,' she said, just as if she had understood our remarks, which of course she did not.