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 Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

(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 There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

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

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

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

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

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

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading And there three people slept every night.

plural of “excursion” — a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

past form of “feast” — partake in a feast or banquet

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

a state of misfortune or affliction

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

a social unit living together

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

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

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

the literary culture

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

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

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading And there three people slept every night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

in a stubborn unregenerate manner

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

held or filled or in use

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

on one occasion

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

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

From this reading And there three people slept every night.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

let for money

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

in a restless manner

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

fastened with stitches

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading And there three people slept every night.

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

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

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

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading And there three people slept every night.

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

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

precisely as stated

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

in or at the place that

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

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

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

during the time that

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

which person or people

From this reading There the simple daily meals were served for all but Granny, who clung obstinately to the kitchen, and there friends were feasted and cards played at nameday and birthday parties.

belonging to which person

From this reading Of course, excursions could be made, particularly to the kitchen where Granny was always restlessly waiting for "one more kiss," and once in a great while to the "best room" which mostly was occupied by some stranger whose small weekly rent paid the servant's wages.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading There the father did his reading, of which he was very fond, and there the mother sewed, darned, embroidered, wrote letters, gave household orders, told fairy tales, and received visitors.

a late time of life

From this reading But to the living-room one always returned in the end, and during his first years this narrow confinement did not strike Keith as a hardship.