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 And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

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

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

for the reason that

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

a youthful male person

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

make strong or stronger

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

made afraid

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

coins made of gold

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

possessive form of “heaven” — any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

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

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

located, suited for, or taking place within a building

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

plural of “intellect” — knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

a boy or man

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

something that is lost

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

not any; not one

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

express in words

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

a male human offspring

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

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

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading And granted that, this vale of tears is no place for such a boy.

precisely as stated

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

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

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

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

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

which person or people

From this reading He'd gotten his father's fine shape and his mother's gentle heart, and though good as gold, he weren't a Mary-boy, as we say--one of them gentle, frightened childer who can't let go their mother's apron.

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading Minnie didn't worry, however, because her son was a strong lad and sturdy as well as lovely.

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

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."

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

From this reading That sort, if they grow up, turn into indoor man-servants and ain't very powerful as a rule in their bodies or intellects; but Joey was a brave young lad enough and had already fixed on his father's profession for his own.

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading Heaven's his home," Mrs. Marks would say, "and so you must fortify yourself for an early loss."