Chapter I

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

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

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

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

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

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

a youthful male person

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

clothing in general

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

a social unit living together

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

a man of refinement

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

the act of departing

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

proceeding in small stages

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

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

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

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

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

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

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

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

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

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

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

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

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

-ing form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

not any; not one

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

and nothing more

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

in other respects or ways

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

plural of “price” — the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

a stock or supply of foods

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

express in words

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

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

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

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

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

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

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

precisely as stated

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

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

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But this change in Sam Franklin was so gradual, that neither himself nor his wife had any idea what was going on.

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

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.

belonging to which person

From this reading Ann was very proud of her tall, fine-looking husband, whose clothes she kept in such good order that he looked, in her eyes at least, quite a gentleman.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He began to talk about bad times, and the high prices of provisions and clothing, and the expenses of a family, though his own consisted of his cheery, managing wife, and one boy only.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading No one had a word to say against him, though if it had been otherwise, Ann was too true a wife to let it be said in her presence.

love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol

From this reading He spent his evenings at home, and went nearly every Sunday to the place of worship which Ann and Johnny constantly attended.