Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Just a spoonful, dear.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

(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 Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

plural of “beginning” — the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

plural of “carrier” — someone whose employment involves carrying something

From this reading "The winds, you see--the great, swift carriers!

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

dearly loved

From this reading Just a spoonful, dear.

a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

lying in or toward the east

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

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

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading "The winds, you see--the great, swift carriers!

to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

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

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

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

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

an occurrence of something

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

and nothing more

From this reading Just a spoonful, dear.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

-ing form of “link” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

plural of “meaning” — the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "The winds, you see--the great, swift carriers!

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

as much as a spoon will hold

From this reading Just a spoonful, dear.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

possessing sweep

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

moving very fast

From this reading "The winds, you see--the great, swift carriers!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

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

From this reading "The winds, you see--the great, swift carriers!

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

in or at that place or location

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

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

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

a special situation

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

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

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

at the time that

From this reading Oh, oh! not _all_ !" for he had swallowed half the contents at a single gulp as usual; "another dose before you go to bed, and the balance in the morning, first thing when you wake."

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

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

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading "The winds, you see--the great, swift carriers!

in the company of; together with

From this reading An easterly wind, for instance, carrying on stage by stage as it were--linking dropped messages and meanings from land to land like the birds--an easterly wind--" Mrs. Bittacy swept in upon them with the tumbler-- "There, David," she said, "that will ward off any beginnings of attack.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading They have their ancient rights of way about the world.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "The winds, you see--the great, swift carriers!