Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

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

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

plural of “composition” — the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

plural of “coward” — a person who shows fear or timidity

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

United States neoclassical sculptor (1814-1857)

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

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

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

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

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

Confederate general in the American Civil War; led the Confederate troops in the West (1807-1891)

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

the production of eggs (especially in birds)

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

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

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

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

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

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

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

plural of “offender” — a person who transgresses moral or civil law

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

on one occasion

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

done under pressure

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

presiding officer of a school

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

building material used as siding or roofing

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

-ing form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

declared as fact; explicitly stated

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

a brother who has only one parent in common with you

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

any of various edible North American web-footed turtles living in fresh or brackish water

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

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

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The boys of the neighborhood made a practice of catching terrapins and laying live coals on their backs.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

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

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar

From this reading Abe caught a group of them at this cruel sport one day, and rushed to the relief of the helpless turtle.

possessive form of “turtle” — a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

the act of using

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

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

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.

in or at the place that

From this reading One day his stepbrother, John Johnston, according to his sister Matilda, "caught a terrapin, brought it to the place where Abe was 'preaching,' threw it against a tree and crushed its shell."

during the time that

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Snatching the shingle that one of the boys was using to handle the coals, he brushed them off the turtle's shell, and with angry tears in his eyes, proceeded to use it on one of the offenders, while he called the rest a lot of cowards.

the act of creating written works

From this reading ABE AND THE NEIGHBORS "PREACHING" AGAINST CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Nat Grigsby stated once that writing compositions was not required by Schoolmaster Crawford, but "Abe took it up on his own account," and his first essay was against cruelty to animals.