Chapter I

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading To-morrow summer holidays would begin.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

without deviation

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

the operator of a motor vehicle

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

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

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The boys’ father was a professor in that college and the girl’s mother an instructor.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

a young female

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

a farewell remark

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

large in amount or extent or degree

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading To-morrow summer holidays would begin.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading The boys’ father was a professor in that college and the girl’s mother an instructor.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

immediately past

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

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

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The boys’ father was a professor in that college and the girl’s mother an instructor.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

a relatively flat highland

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading The boys’ father was a professor in that college and the girl’s mother an instructor.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

an educational institution

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

a meeting for execution of a group's functions

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

third-person singular of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

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

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

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

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

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

From this reading To-morrow summer holidays would begin.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

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

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading They nodded a friendly good-bye to the driver and started off up the steep little elm-roofed street that sloped directly up to Ashland College, an institution for girls, perched on the highest plateau of this hill town.

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

From this reading The boys’ father was a professor in that college and the girl’s mother an instructor.

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

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

at the time that

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

which person or people

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

in the company of; together with

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.

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

From this reading To-morrow summer holidays would begin.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The boys, between them, were carrying the girl’s books and a goodly number of their own, for they were returning from the last session of the school year.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading An unusual mystery about a strange orchard house with a brave girl who finally straightens things out The Sun Dial Press, Inc. NEW YORK Two boys and a girl climbed down out of the bus from Middletown when it made its final stop in front of the summer hotel at the head of Broad Street.