Chapter XII

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

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

United States professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 1934)

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

(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 But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

eagerly desirous

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

any thing at all

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

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

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

the two together, not just one

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

travel across or pass over

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

the first light of day

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

your parents

From this reading I reckon folks would have to do their work theirselves if ’twas left to me.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

set up or found

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

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

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

and nothing more

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

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 THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I reckon folks would have to do their work theirselves if ’twas left to me.”

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

a course of conduct

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading I reckon folks would have to do their work theirselves if ’twas left to me.”

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading I reckon folks would have to do their work theirselves if ’twas left to me.”

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “I’m jolly glad I am not a real pisky,” he said, “to have to do this every night.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Aaron was excited, too, but he was more sleepy, and they were both just the least bit cross as they clambered up the slippery path.

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

From this reading I reckon folks would have to do their work theirselves if ’twas left to me.”

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading But Loveday was very anxious to see if the bad piskies had done anything further when they found all the straw had been taken away from them.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

at the time that

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.

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

From this reading THE PISKIES CAUGHT Both Aaron and Loveday were very tired when, for the third time, they rose at dawn, crept out of the house, and up the cliff; and if it had not been for the excitement of seeing what their enemies had done to the vegetable bed during the night, they would probably have left their pisky work, for one morning at least.