Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

(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 Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

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

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

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

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

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

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

confined by bonds

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

plural of “buckle” — fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

plural of “chocolate” — a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

a line made of twisted fibers or threads

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

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

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

being one more than ten

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

a long, loose outer garment

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

the act of departing

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

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

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

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

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

plural of “jacket” — a short coat

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

and nothing more

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

small in range or scope

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

a chalcedony with alternating black and white bands; used in making cameos

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

plural of “sandal” — a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

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

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

past form of “smell” — inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

plural of “sock” — hosiery consisting of a cloth covering for the foot; worn inside the shoe; reaches to between the ankle and the knee

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

bound or secured closely

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

very small

From this reading The socks that stopped just below her sturdy brown knees were of black silk, and her black sandals had tiny buckles of onyx.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

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

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

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

From this reading STRANGERS ON THE LIMITED At Chicago, on a hot afternoon in early summer, two little girls got aboard the car on the Limited that was bound through to Boston.

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

From this reading Both little girls had bobbed brown hair and brown eyes and both were going on eleven, but there all likeness between them ended.

a Caucasian

From this reading She wore a hat of fine black straw, and in her arms she carried a little black vanity bag, two big books with colored pictures on their jackets, and a box tied up in white paper and gilt cord that screamed--and smelled--of chocolates.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The larger of the two little girls wore a black silk frock embroidered with amber-colored butterflies and curlicues, and black silk knickerbockers.