Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

(law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

in addition

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

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

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

a large room at a college or university; used especially for dining

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

causing distress or worry or anxiety

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

being one more than seven

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

set up or found

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

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

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

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

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

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

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

not any; not one

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

according to the clock

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

above and across; more than

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

past form of “purloin” — make off with belongings of others

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

of a firearm; having rifling or internal spiral grooves inside the barrel

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

Identical; not different.

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

plural of “spoon” — a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

cooked in hot water

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

a special situation

From this reading An Alarm That same evening an extraordinary thing happened.

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

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

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

From this reading "I'm afraid it's a two-legged dog," said Miss Harding gravely.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

having passed out of existence

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

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

From this reading It was the custom for glasses of milk, dishes of stewed fruit, and plates of bread and butter to be placed on the table in the dining-hall about eight o'clock.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

at the time that

From this reading This was done as usual, but when the girls arrived for supper they found a large proportion of the bread and butter had vanished.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading At first the suspicion fell on Spot, the fox-terrier, but the cook pleaded an alibi on his behalf, proving that he had been in the kitchen the whole time; also, the rifled plates were in the middle of the table, so no dog could have purloined their contents without knocking over glasses, or disturbing spoons and forks.