Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

highly skilled

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

(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 And through it all Puck never left his side.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

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

From this reading And through it all Puck never left his side.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

the cognitive process that leads to convictions

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

superlative of “brief” — of short duration or distance

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

opinion or judgment

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

inflected form of “forbid” — command against

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

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

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

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 And through it all Puck never left his side.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading And through it all Puck never left his side.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

a law forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

a mischievous sprite of English folklore

From this reading And through it all Puck never left his side.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

only a very short time before

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

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

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading And through it all Puck never left his side.

superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

not in physical motion

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

in a strange manner

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

in a strenuous manner; strongly or vigorously

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

in a swift manner

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

used as intensifiers

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading And through it all Puck never left his side.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

not liable to failure

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

precisely as stated

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger

From this reading Alert and vigilant, very full of courage, very quick of understanding, she drew him, leaning on her, back to a life that had become strangely new to them both.

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

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

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

From this reading FREEDOM It took him many days to climb back up that slope down which he had slipped so swiftly in those few awful hours.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Very slowly, with painful effort, but with unfailing purpose, he made his arduous way.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading They talked very little, for Merryon's strength was terribly low, and Macfarlane, still scarcely believing in the miracle that had been wrought under his eyes, forbade all but the simplest and briefest speech--a prohibition which Puck strenuously observed; for Puck, though she knew the miracle for an accomplished fact, was not taking any chances.