Chapter II

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

how long something has existed

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

(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 Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

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

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

United States surgeon remembered for his studies of digestion (1785-1853)

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

befitting or characteristic of a young boy

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

a boy or man

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

(of hair or feathers) of a golden brown to reddish brown color

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

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

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

causing an emotional disturbance

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

a longing for something better than the present situation

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

a feeling of excitement

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

divisible by two

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

an established custom

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

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

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

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

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

marked by casual disrespect

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

go away from a place

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

an event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

a form of address for a man

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

above and across; more than

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

in the near future

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

on the contrary

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

express in words

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

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

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

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

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

lacking stiffness in form or posture

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

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

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

not in physical motion

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

successive (without a break)

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

in disarray; extremely disorderly

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

not neat and tidy

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

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

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

at the time that

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

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

From this reading A mass of tousled hair, of a chestnut color, fell over a moderately high forehead; deep brown eyes, which had a habit of staring straight at one in a rather disconcerting fashion--some called it impudent--a thin nose, and a mouth never quite still completed his facial make-up.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

in the company of; together with

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

in an unfortunate or deplorable manner

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

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

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.

a late time of life

From this reading WILLIE CANNOT HELP IT Willie Sloan, age fifteen and a half, quite small for his years, wasn’t a bad-looking chap; or, rather, wouldn’t have been if his expression had indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the world.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Say, Mr. Beaumont, I lost that letter you told me to leave for Mr. Sharswood,” he began, in a dogged manner, staring hard into Cranny’s grinning face.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading But the light of boyish enthusiasm was woefully lacking in Willie Sloan’s face; and his voice, too, when he presently spoke, did not ring with the spirit of youth.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading Discontent seemed written all over his youthful face, and even his slouchy gait and untidy appearance told of an unhappy spirit.