Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

a theatrical performer

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

frightening because of an awareness of danger

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

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

From this reading "Why, Daddy, what is the matter?" asked Alice.

equally

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

a formal public statement

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

any person at all

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Why, Daddy, what is the matter?" asked Alice.

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

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

(astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading "Why, Daddy, what is the matter?" asked Alice.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

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

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

not pleasing in odor or taste

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

a bad-tempered person

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

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

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

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

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading "Why, Daddy, what is the matter?" asked Alice.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

in motion

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

above and across; more than

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

add pepper to

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

by chance

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

portray in words

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

make (one thing) compatible with

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

an educational institution

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

possessive form of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

from appearances alone

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

not often

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

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

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

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

From this reading Seldom had they seen him so moved, especially over such a seemingly simple matter as the announcement of a new moving picture drama.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

except if; if not

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

British general and statesman; he defeated Napoleon at Waterloo; subsequently served as Prime Minister (1769-1852)

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

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

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Why, Daddy, what is the matter?" asked Alice.

which person or people

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why, Daddy, what is the matter?" asked Alice.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "I think it will be perfectly fine to have a little trip out to sea, especially now that Summer is coming on."

in the company of; together with

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Hosmer DeVere's words and manner alike were alarming to his daughters.

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

From this reading He and the girls, in common with the other members of the Comet Film Company, had to portray many different scenes in the course of a season's work, and though some of it was distasteful, it was seldom objected to by anyone, unless perhaps by Pepper Sneed, the "grouch," or perhaps by Mr. Wellington Bunn, an actor of the old school, who could not reconcile himself to the silent drama.