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 In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

(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 In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

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

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

any person at all

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

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

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

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

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

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

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

a small farm worked by a crofter

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

a slight wetness

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

an overwhelming number or amount

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

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

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

a heavy rain

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

go or come after and bring or take back

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

moving swiftly

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

a young female

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

an artful or simulated semblance

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

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

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

plural of “helper” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

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

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

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

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

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

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

with impatience; in an impatient manner

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

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

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

and nothing more

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

permitting the unwanted passage of fluids or gases

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

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

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

on one occasion

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

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

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

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

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

have in common

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

get rid of

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

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

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

of or relating to or characteristic of Sweden or its people or culture or language

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

possessing sweep

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

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

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

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

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

past form of “translate” — restate (words) from one language into another language

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

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

From this reading Outside it rained in torrents and he came in for his share of the downpour, although he was said to be under cover.

at the time that

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The rain reached him in the guise of dampness through cracks in the walls and as drops from a leaky roof, then all at once, through the doorless opening of the shed, the wind swept a regular deluge in upon him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

a shed for storing firewood or garden tools

From this reading In the early morning he had been to fetch the midwife, and other helpers; all the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon he had sat on the chopping-block, in the woodshed, with nothing to do but to wait.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Translated from the Swedish by Velma Swanston Howard Jan of Ruffluck Croft never tired of telling about the day when his little girl came into the world.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "I just wonder if anybody thinks I'm glad to have that young one coming?" he muttered, impatiently kicking at a small stick of wood and sending it flying across the yard.