Chapter I

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

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

how long something has existed

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

in the past

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

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

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

any thing at all

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

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

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

a youthful male person

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

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

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

one or the other of two

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the quality of being final or definitely settled

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

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

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

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

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

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

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

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

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “I wonder what they look like.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading “I wonder what they look like.

an offensive term for a Black nursemaid in the southern U.S.

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the post at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs; it supports the handrail

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

a secret look

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

To recall to mind.

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

in a vehement outcry

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

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

From this reading “I wonder what they look like.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

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

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “I wonder what they look like.

at the time that

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

in or at the place that

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

which person or people

From this reading “I heard the automobile horn, Martha!” shouted George Parke, jumping from the newel post of the front veranda steps, where he had perched himself to await the Philadelphia cousins who were expected that morning.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

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

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading “I wonder what they look like.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.

a late time of life

From this reading “Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Can you remember either one when we visited Philadelphia five years ago?” ventured Martha.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading “I didn’t hear anything but Jim squealing ’cause his mammy won’t let him peek around the corner of the house,” scorned Martha Parke, his sister, a year and a half younger than George.