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 They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

(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 They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws

From this reading They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and it grew hotter and hotter on the pier.

in an ill-natured manner

From this reading "Keep still, can't you?" said Kit crossly.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)

From this reading The flies tickled Kat's nose and made her sneeze.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

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

From this reading The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and it grew hotter and hotter on the pier.

be suspended or hanging

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

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

From this reading The flies tickled Kat's nose and made her sneeze.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and it grew hotter and hotter on the pier.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

large strong hand (as of a fighter)

From this reading They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

comparative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and it grew hotter and hotter on the pier.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and it grew hotter and hotter on the pier.

and nothing more

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the leaves of the shrub Catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

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

From this reading The flies tickled Kat's nose and made her sneeze.

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

From this reading "Keep still, can't you?" said Kit crossly.

a case for containing a set of articles

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading The flies tickled Kat's nose and made her sneeze.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

above and across; more than

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

a particular situation

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

be seated

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and it grew hotter and hotter on the pier.

a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose

From this reading The flies tickled Kat's nose and made her sneeze.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

not in physical motion

From this reading They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

successive (without a break)

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

caught or fixed

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and it grew hotter and hotter on the pier.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

past form of “tickle” — touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

From this reading The flies tickled Kat's nose and made her sneeze.

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

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

precisely as stated

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading They dropped their hooks into the water and sat very still, waiting for a bite.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading They all sat down on the end of the pier, Grandfather sat on the very end and let his wooden shoes hang down over the water; but he made Kit and Kat sit with their feet stuck straight out in front of them, so they just reached to the edge, "So you can't fall in," said Grandfather.