Chapter II

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

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

later than; following

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

anew

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

(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 We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

capable of wounding

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading With a shriek Bett-Bett flew to the rescue.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

set up or found

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

activities that are enjoyable or amusing

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

having been got the better of

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

above and across; more than

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

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

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

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

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

free from harm or evil

From this reading With a shriek Bett-Bett flew to the rescue.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

express in words

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

sharp piercing cry

From this reading With a shriek Bett-Bett flew to the rescue.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

plural of “tatter” — a small piece of cloth or paper

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

up to a particular time

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

hard to endure

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

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

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading For at least a week after we reached the homestead, Bett-Bett was kept busy protecting Sue from the station dogs.

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

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

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

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

which person or people

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a shriek Bett-Bett flew to the rescue.

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading We hadn’t been home an hour before we heard a fearful yell, and running to see what could have happened, found that all the dogs on the place had set on the poor little beast, and were trying to worry her to death.

a sharp high-pitched cry (especially by a dog)

From this reading As she ran she picked up a thick stick, and with it fought and hammered and screamed her way into the biting, yelping mob of dogs; then picking up the dusty little speckled ball, she fought and hammered and screamed her way out again to a place of safety.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading There she sat and crooned over Sue, who licked her face and tried to say—“How good you are, Bett-Bett.” I don’t know how many fights we had altogether, for the dogs kept at it till they were tired of the fun, which was not before Sue was nearly in tatters.