Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

(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 Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

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

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

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

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

a container that is usually woven and has handles

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

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

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

filled to capacity

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

a fabric so delicate and transparent as to resemble a web of a spider

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

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

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

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

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

having made preparations

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

at any time

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

apart from; not including

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

a boy or man

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

set up or found

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

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

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

not easily irritated

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

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

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

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

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

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

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

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

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

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

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

held dear

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

and nothing more

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

a gay feeling

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

possessive form of “miller” — United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

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

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

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

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

not any; not one

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

above and across; more than

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

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

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These were brown like sealskin, and nearly always brimming over with merriment.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

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

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

male cat

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

possessive form of “tom” — male cat

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

disregarding your own advantages and welfare over those of others

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

plural of “villager” — one who has lived in a village most of their life

From this reading But no one ever thought of criticising Tom's features, and there really was a common belief among the villagers that Tom was a handsome fellow.

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

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

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

From this reading Tom was not good-looking, and, indeed, if one were disposed to be critical in such matters, one could have found fault with almost all his features except his eyes.

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

From this reading And indeed he was, for his beautiful unselfish soul gave to his face a beauty which merely regular features can never do.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Little girls with flowers Tom dreaming Mouse at mouse-hole Mouse at cobweb ladder Little girls picking flowers Child with basket of flowers THE MILLER'S MOUSE The reason why every one loved Tom Lecky so much was, I believe, that he was so good-tempered, so cheerful and so unselfish.