Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

in actual fact

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

in addition

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The lad said he had been instructed to wait for it.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

a youthful male person

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

take in solid food

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

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

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The lad said he had been instructed to wait for it.

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

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

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

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

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

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

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

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading The lad said he had been instructed to wait for it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The lad said he had been instructed to wait for it.

plural of “job” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

a boy or man

From this reading The lad said he had been instructed to wait for it.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

according to the clock

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

not divisible by two

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

on one occasion

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

coated with paint

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

in the near future

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The lad said he had been instructed to wait for it.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

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

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

in the near future

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

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

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

in or at that place or location

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading The lad said he had been instructed to wait for it.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

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

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

a Caucasian

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

which person or people

From this reading Nora gave the boy some tea and bread and butter to eat whilst Owen was doing the coffin-plate, and presently Frankie—who had been playing out in the street—made his appearance.

in the company of; together with

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

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

From this reading These and other odd jobs kept him employed a few hours every day, so that he was not actually out of work.

plural of “workshop” — small workplace where handcrafts or manufacturing are done

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading One afternoon—there being nothing to do—he went home at three o’clock, but almost as soon as he reached the house Bert White came with a coffin-plate which had to be written at once.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading The Week before Christmas During the next week Owen painted a sign on the outer wall of one of the workshops at the yard, and he also wrote the name of the firm on three of the handcarts.