Chapter VII

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine.

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

a person who makes or repairs shoes

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”

plural of “customer” — someone who pays for goods or services

From this reading “His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading “His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine.

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

From this reading “His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.

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

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading “His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

in a joyous manner

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.

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

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

a form of address for a man

From this reading SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine.

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

From this reading SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”

not any; not one

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur

From this reading “His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine.

on the contrary

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

edge of a way or road or path

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”

cut with a saw

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”

not in physical motion

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

at the time that

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

in the company of; together with

From this reading SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading WASHINGTON The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming.

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

From this reading “A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”