Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

later than; following

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

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

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

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

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

form a curve

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

next to; at the side of

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

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

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

a youthful male person

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

of short duration or distance

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

not carefully or expertly made

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

opinion or judgment

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

firmly closed or secured

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

made afraid

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

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

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

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

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

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

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

not easy to believe

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

and nothing more

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

past form of “launch” — set up or found

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

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

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

cover with planks

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

plural of “playmate” — a companion at play

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

free from harm or evil

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

in an impolite manner

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

Identical; not different.

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

cut with a saw

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

so extremely intense as to evoke screams

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

someone who deliberately behaves in such a way as to attract attention

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

plural of “spade” — a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

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

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

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

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

hard to endure

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

in deplorable condition

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE RESCUE AT HOBSON'S MILL-POND The two boys covered the short distance in an incredibly brief space of time.

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

From this reading Two little colored girls were running up and down the shore doing most of the screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death.

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

From this reading The reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

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

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

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

From this reading As they rounded the bend just beside the mill-pond and saw the whole scene spread out before them, their eyes were immediately fastened on a stirring picture close by.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same.