Chapter I

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

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

(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 As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

Having no one else present.

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

a young person of either sex

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “Come, sisters, come,” cried the one nearest Lucilla.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “Come, sisters, come,” cried the one nearest Lucilla.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

a female human offspring

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

a young female

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

highest in quality

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

without good reason

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

United States anthropologist who studied the Seneca (1818-1881)

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading “Come, sisters, come,” cried the one nearest Lucilla.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

not any; not one

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

on one occasion

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

a small stiff cushion into which pins are stuck ready for use

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

participate in games or sport

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading “Come, sisters, come,” cried the one nearest Lucilla.

be seated

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading BY MARY DE MORGAN AUTHOR OF “ON A PINCUSHION,” “THE NECKLACE OF PRINCESS FIORIMONDE.”

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

precisely as stated

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

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

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

look attentively

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

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

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.

at the time that

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

belonging to which person

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading His wife had died when the little girl, whose name was Lucilla, was a baby, and so the miller lived by himself with his child, of whom he was very proud.

a mill that is powered by the wind

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THERE was once a windmill which stood on the downs by the sea, far from any town or village, and in which the miller lived alone with his little daughter.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading As her father was busy with his work, and as little Lucilla had no other children to play with, she was alone nearly all day, and had to amuse herself as best she could, and one of her greatest pleasures was to sit and watch the great sails of the windmill figures like them, and they held each other by the hand, and were dancing and springing from the ground as lightly as if they had been made of feather-down.