Chapter I

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

(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 ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

blowing in violent and abrupt bursts

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

a junior Girl Scout

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

plural of “brownie” — a junior Girl Scout

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

the act of brushing your teeth

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

a university in England

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

plural of “cook” — someone who cooks food

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

having a hardened crust as a covering

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

being one more than seven

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

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

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

based on pretense; deceptively pleasing

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

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

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

plural of “helper” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

United States publisher who founded a printing shop that became an important book publisher (1823-1895)

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a social unit living together

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

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

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

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

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

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

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

deep-rooted coarse-textured plant native to the Mediterranean region having blue flowers and pinnately compound leaves; widely cultivated in Europe for its long thick sweet roots

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

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

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

engage in

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

march in a procession

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

the act of mixing together

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

clean or organized

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

Arctic deer with large antlers in both sexes; called “reindeer” in Eurasia and “caribou” in North America

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

the bank of a river

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

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

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

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

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

the season of growth

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

resistant to change of position or condition

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

not in physical motion

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

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

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

possessing sweep

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

in or at that place or location

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

very small

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

to the highest extent

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

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

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

precisely as stated

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

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

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

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

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

a Caucasian

From this reading Down in the kitchen Sweet-Tooth, chief of the candy cooks, was showing his tidy little band of helpers, each in white apron and cap, how to make very-black licorice drops.

which person or people

From this reading Little Crusty, oldest of the Brownies, who was in charge of the reindeer and who, in spite of a snarled-up face, had a very tender heart, was still busy in the stable, brushing the brown coats of the eight tiny reindeer and making them glossy and neat for the day.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.

in the company of; together with

From this reading ‘Now that March is here some Brownie is sure to catch a Spring cold,’ said Sweet-Tooth, measuring and mixing with all his might, ‘and there is nothing better than licorice drops for a cold in the Spring.’

but in spite of that

From this reading It was so early in the morning that some of Santa Claus’s Brownies had not yet finished their household tasks.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge It was a bright cold March morning and round the four corners of Santa Claus’s Snow Palace on the very tip-top of the North Pole the wind swept blustering and shouting on his way.