Chapter XIII

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

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

how long something has existed

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

(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 The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The blind man for the most part kept his bed.

confined to bed (by illness)

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

the sacred writings of the Christian religions

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

a period of 100 years

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

for the most part

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

a woman who works in a dairy

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

being ten more than seventy

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

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

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

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

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

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

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

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

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

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

From this reading The blind man for the most part kept his bed.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

plural of “illness” — impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The blind man for the most part kept his bed.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

in the recent past

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The blind man for the most part kept his bed.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

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

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The blind man for the most part kept his bed.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The blind man for the most part kept his bed.

plural of “pensioner” — the beneficiary of a pension fund

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

being ten more than sixty

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

past form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

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

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

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

From this reading EVERY evening lately, Ingeborg Norby had sat and read the Bible to the pensioners in the little house.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading They smoked, moved from one chair to another, and talked together chiefly about their various illnesses.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

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

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair

From this reading In the little room lay the bedridden dairymaid; and in the larger room sat the two white-haired farm-labourers and speculated on various matters.

which person or people

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

a poorhouse where able-bodied poor are compelled to labor

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.

a late time of life

From this reading The pensioners were four in number, the dairymaid and the two farm-servants, who were all between seventy and eighty years of age, and had been in service at the farm for more than half a century; and the blind tenant farmer, whom Norby had taken in, so that he should not go to the workhouse.