Chapter III

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

later than; following

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

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

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

inherent ability

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

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

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

the lower side of anything

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

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

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

a man paid to drive a privately owned car

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

dearly loved

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

make understand

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

divisible by two

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

the organ of sight

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

a half of an hour

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

-ing form of “mirror” — reflect as if in a mirror

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

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

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

past form of “stall” — postpone doing what one should be doing

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."

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

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

a source of difficulty

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Aunt Sarah turned upon me eyes mirroring a faith sufficient to move even stalled motor cars.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

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

From this reading It was, of course, an order to burrow into the confined space between the road bed and the bottom of the car, and of course I burrowed.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

at the time that

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

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

From this reading PURSUING A WILL-O'-THE-WISP Aunt Sarah and the girls were much annoyed and their annoyance did not grow less when, after a half-hour of diagnosis, the chauffeur emerged, grease-stained and exhausted from under the car, shaking his head.

possessive form of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading He frankly admitted that his worm's eye view had failed to enlighten him as to the trouble.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I am sure, my dear," she said, sweetly, "your mechanical aptitude can find a remedy for this difficulty."