Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

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

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

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

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

for the reason that

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

placed in a grave

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

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

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

without stop or interruption

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

plural of “distinction” — a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

set up or found

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

the act of departing

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

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

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

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

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

a vehicle for carrying a coffin to a church or a cemetery; formerly drawn by horses but now usually a motor vehicle

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

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

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

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

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

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 Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

not any; not one

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

not one, and not any

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

in other respects or ways

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading It made him ask many questions of his mother, but none of her answers brought death any closer to his mind.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

cut with a saw

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

lacking subtlety and insight

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

make square

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

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

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

arousing affect

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

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

From this reading The parties continued, and Keith's parents were often invited, partly because the old couple was too simple-minded to think of social distinctions, and partly because they both came from the same district as Keith's Granny.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.

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

From this reading Reports of her progress were received, of course, and passed on in the hearing of Keith, but like so many other things not touching his own life closely, it carried no real meaning to his mind.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Then, one day, the old lady died, and Keith attended a part of the funeral, and from the window he saw the coffin taken away in a hearse buried in flowers.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Keith would be allowed to come along at times, and he liked the idea of going and the good food, but otherwise he found it dull business watching a lot of grown-up people seated solemnly about square tables playing cards.