Chapter III

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

(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 The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

completely unclothed

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

intending or showing kindness

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

a government administrator

From this reading The Commissioner rode up to the hut.

placed crosswise

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

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

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

temporary military shelter

From this reading The Commissioner rode up to the hut.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

a severe or trying experience

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

in other respects or ways

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

mended usually clumsily by covering a hole with a patch

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading The Commissioner rode up to the hut.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading The Commissioner rode up to the hut.

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

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

a large gathering of people

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

plural of “thumb” — the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading The Commissioner rode up to the hut.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

having come into contact

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

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

From this reading The Commissioner rode up to the hut.

precisely as stated

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

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

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On seeing the Commissioner the old man rose and seated himself on the ground, clapping his hands by way of greeting.

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

From this reading His feet were bare--so, too, was his head--but he was otherwise clothed to the extent of a patched and very dirty shirt and an aged pair of trousers.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

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

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.

which person or people

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The old man touched the head of the child in front of him with his crossed thumbs; that was all, and the child passed hurriedly on to join a throng, already large, of others who had passed through the ordeal, or whatever it was.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading This curious native wore a large pair of spectacles, which gave him a benevolent air.