used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
accomplishingverbUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “accomplish” — put in effect
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
Alec's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
in addition
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
bootedadjectiveUS /ˈbuːtɪd/
wearing boots
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
the two together, not just one
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
divisible by two
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
a quick look
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
the act of departing
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
an occurrence of something
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
come together
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
and nothing more
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
parcelnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəl/
a wrapped container
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
red-nosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
red-tippeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
straggleverbUS /ˈstræɡəl/
wander from a direct or straight course
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
unearthlyadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrθli/
concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
at the time that
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
which person or people
From this reading It was only Ellen and myself who caught a glimpse of just what it was that Alec was accomplishing, when we also would walk out to meet him.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading During the winter Alec came home from college every Saturday, walking over the mountain each Saturday afternoon for fifteen miles, and going back Monday morning by a stage that started at some unearthly hour, and carried passengers over to the nearest town to us through which a railroad ran in those days.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
wood-boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was before any of the new forms of education for boys had even so much as stirred in their sleep, and the town agreed in considering Alec's friendship with the youngsters a waste of time on both sides: the parents of the boys saying that they had something better to do--in filling the wood-boxes for instance--than to tramp out and get their toes frozen off to meet Alec.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Alec's friends, on the other hand, wondered what he wanted with a "parcel of young ones."
youngstersnounUS /ˈjʌŋstərz/
plural of “youngster” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Various boys of those he had around him would straggle down the road to meet him, so when he came into the town on cold winter nights it was with an escort of red-nosed, red-tippeted and booted youngsters.
