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 He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

later than; following

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

in addition

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

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

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

someone who bakes commercially

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

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

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

kill (animals) usually for food consumption

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

a boy or man

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

a scientist who specializes in chemistry

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

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

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

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

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

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

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

plural of “craft” — the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

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

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

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

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

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

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

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

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

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

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

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

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

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

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

plural of “job” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

United States artist and proponent of pop art (born in 1930)

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

plural of “medicine” — the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

plural of “mutter” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

obtain a patent for

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

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

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

fasten by sewing; do needlework

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

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

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

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

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn't do.

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

From this reading Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, five feet three inches high, and always bursting with energy.

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

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

up to a particular time

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

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

From this reading His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us a good bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise of the man.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He lived alone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--at least like the clever ones.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit of learning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts about business, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, or with butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen about crime, and be worth attending to on any subject.