Chapter XXVII · The History of Tim the Snammer

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

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

(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 He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

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

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

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

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

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

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

a pauper who lives by begging

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

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

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

include or contain; have as a component

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

properly deserved

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

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

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

the power to use something or someone

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

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

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

a county of southern England on the English Channel

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

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

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

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

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

a wife who manages a household while her husband earns the family income

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

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

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

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

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

a conditional conveyance of property as security for the repayment of a loan

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

not any; not one

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

let for money

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

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

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

with speed

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

furnished with more than enough

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

the first light of day

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

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

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

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

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

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

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

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

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

being six more than thirty

From this reading He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

careful and diligent in the use of resources

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.

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

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

unsupported by other people

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

precisely as stated

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

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

From this reading "My father was a small farmer in Hampshire.

(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 He had about thirty-six acres of his own, all well cultivated and well stocked, and free of all mortgage and encumbrance of that kind.

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

From this reading They were not, however, mean: no—very far from that.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The beggar was never turned away unassisted from their door; and if a neighbour got a little behind-hand with his rent, and deserved aid, it was ten to one if the china tea-pot in my mother's cupboard did not contain a few pounds, which were speedily placed at his disposal.

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading The farm was small enough, God knows; but it yielded a decent living,—for my father was as industrious as a bee,—always out by sunrise,—and my mother was as saving, thrifty, and prudent a housewife as any in the county.