Chapter I

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

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

how long something has existed

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

(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 It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

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

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

being one more than seven

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

a short vacation about halfway through a school term

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

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

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

and nothing more

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

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

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

not any; not one

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

and nothing more

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

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 It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

United States biochemist (born in England) honored for his discovery that some genes contain introns (born in 1943)

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

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

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

an educational institution

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

United States writer whose novels argued for social reform (1878-1968)

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

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

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

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

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

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

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

up to a particular time

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

precisely as stated

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The half-term had just passed, and they did not expect to go home for the Christmas holidays for another four or five weeks, until one day Miss Lawson became very ill, and her sister, Miss Rosina, was sent for.

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

From this reading There were only five boys besides himself, and Miss Roberts was the only governess besides Miss Lawson.

at the time that

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.

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

From this reading His full name was James Orchardson Sinclair Wilmot, and he had been at Miss Lawson's small school at Ramsgate since he was six.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading It was on Friday that Miss Rosina told the boys that she had written to their parents and that they would all be sent home on Tuesday, and no doubt Jimmy might have felt as glad as the rest if he had had a home to be sent to.

a late time of life

From this reading HOW IT BEGAN Jimmy was nearly eight years of age when these strange things happened to him.