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 Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading But Rusty shook his head quickly--and with decision.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "That won't do," said he.

one or the other of two

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

house for a farmer and family

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

set up or found

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading But Rusty shook his head quickly--and with decision.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

an opening into or through something

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

engage in

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

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

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

with speed

From this reading But Rusty shook his head quickly--and with decision.

(of animals) officially recorded with or certified by a recognized breed association; especially in a stud book

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading But Rusty shook his head quickly--and with decision.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

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 Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

a distinctive characteristic or attribute

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why not build our nest behind one of the shutters?" she suggested.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But Rusty shook his head quickly--and with decision.

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

From this reading "That won't do," said he.

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

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

English architect who designed more than fifty London churches (1632-1723)

From this reading Author Of Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) Author of "Sleepy-Time Tales" (Registered Trademark) Made in the United States of America Now, Rusty Wren had found--and shown to his wife--a hollow apple tree and a hole in a fence-rail, either of which he thought would make a pleasant place in which to live.

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

From this reading But since the little couple were _house wrens_, Rusty's wife said she thought that they oughtn't to be so far from the farmhouse.