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 I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

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

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

a youthful male person

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

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

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

a tourist who is visiting sights of interest

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

set up or found

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

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

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

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

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

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

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

in a slow and lazy manner

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

used to form the superlative

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

being perceived or observed

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

come into possession of

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

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

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

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

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

the season of growth

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

having a supporting base

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

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

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances.

possessive form of “union” — an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

poor and often mischievous city child

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face, and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace steamer.

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

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

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

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

at the time that

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

in or at the place that

From this reading I had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my duties were of the most exacting nature.

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

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

which person or people

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading I was kept hard at work through the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I could manage with comfort.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions above.