Chapter VIII

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

From this reading A HUNGRY DETECTIVE.

later than; following

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

(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 Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

any thing at all

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

represented graphically by sketch or design or lines

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading A HUNGRY DETECTIVE.

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

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

in a doubtful manner

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

spoken with emphasis

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading A HUNGRY DETECTIVE.

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

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

a state of confusion and disorderliness

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

above and across; more than

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

precisely, exactly

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

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

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

for a short time

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

plural of “swell” — the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Joe did not reply for several seconds, and then said, doubtfully:

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

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

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

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading "I've always thought swells had a pretty soft snap when they went to bed; but I never counted on its bein' anything like this.

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

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"

past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

at the time that

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading When aunt Dorcas had ushered the boys into the "room over the kitchen," and left them with a kindly "good night," they gazed around in such astonishment as can best be depicted by Master Plummer's emphatic remark shortly after the little woman went down-stairs.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Do you s'pose she means for us to get right into that bed, an' muss it all up?"