Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

(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 Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

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

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last Mrs. Cricky found what she wanted, and home she came.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

with brightness

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading At last Mrs. Cricky found what she wanted, and home she came.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cricky was looking for food for Chee, Chirk and Chirp.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

make a shrill creaking, squeaking, or noise, as of a door, mouse, or bird

From this reading Mrs. Cricky was looking for food for Chee, Chirk and Chirp.

make high-pitched sounds

From this reading Mrs. Cricky was looking for food for Chee, Chirk and Chirp.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

move deeply

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

apart from; not including

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cricky was looking for food for Chee, Chirk and Chirp.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

set up or found

From this reading At last Mrs. Cricky found what she wanted, and home she came.

plural of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

playful like a lively kitten

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

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

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

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

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

immediately past

From this reading At last Mrs. Cricky found what she wanted, and home she came.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Mrs. Cricky was looking for food for Chee, Chirk and Chirp.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

four performers or singers who perform together

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

past form of “scuttle” — to move about or proceed hurriedly

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

not in physical motion

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

Australian operatic soprano (born in 1926)

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the The Cheerful Cricket had been running around anxiously in the grass all the morning.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

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

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

under normal conditions

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

precisely as stated

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

a planet (usually Venus) seen at sunset in the western sky

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading At last Mrs. Cricky found what she wanted, and home she came.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading At last Mrs. Cricky found what she wanted, and home she came.

at the time that

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

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

From this reading Mrs. Cricky carried her head down, and when she ran she scuttled, and when she stopped she was absolutely still, except for her eyes, which she turned about brightly in every direction.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Usually Mr. Cricky brought home the food, but he was a member of the Marsh Grass Vesper Quartette--made up of himself, Miss K. T. Did, Mr. Frisky Frog and Mr. Tree Toad Todson, first cousin to Toadie Todson--and they had all been out very late the night before, so Mrs. Cricky didn't wish to disturb him.