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 Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

Having no one else present.

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

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

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

young bird especially of domestic fowl

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

a young person of either sex

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

fall or come down violently

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

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

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

become dark or darker

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

a quad with a square body

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

a boy or man

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

plural of “ford” — United States film maker (1896-1973)

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

the state of being friends (or friendly)

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

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

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

easy to reach

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

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

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

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

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

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

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

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

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

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

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

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 And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

used to form the superlative

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

not any; not one

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

on one occasion

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

express in words

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

having or showing or requiring special skill

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

someone who engages in sports

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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 And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

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

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

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

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

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

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

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

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

an artifact designed to be played with

From this reading And Teddy Pegram took most powerful to him and made him many a game and many a clever toy.

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

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

precisely as stated

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

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

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

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

From this reading "I followed the sea," he told them once, "and that's why I'm so handy all round.

having or expressing desire for something

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading He'd walk with the child to the woods sometimes and teach him the ways of birds and beasts, and show him how to catch 'em; for Ted was a rare sportsman and deeply skilled in all the branches of it.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading And 'twas his bent in that direction led to the extraordinary affair of this tale; though it was a good year before the crash came and for a long time no cloud arose to darken his steadfast friendship with the Fords.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.

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

From this reading You might say they was more than friends, for Teddy explained to the young couple that he stood alone in the world, without chick or child of his own, and felt very wishful to have some special interest in his fellow creatures.