Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

lighted up by or as by fire or flame

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

-ing form of “blame” — put or pin the blame on

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

terminate

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

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

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

start firing a weapon

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

your parents

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

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

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

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

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

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

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

and nothing more

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

material for starting a fire

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

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

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

a large number or amount

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

a slight but appreciable amount

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

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

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

and nothing more

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

above and across; more than

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

worthless material that is to be disposed of

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

a fund of money put by as a reserve

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

a momentary flash of light

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

plural of “surmise” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

one of the digits of the foot

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

the act of using

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

at the time that

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

which person or people

From this reading "Leslie always does use lots of kindling," interposed Jessie, who was, it must be admitted, more careful about small savings than I.

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

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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 SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "The only way I can account for it is that a spark from the chimney must have fallen into this pile and set it afire," Mrs. Horton observed, turning bits of the pile in question over with the toe of her shoe.

showing curiosity

From this reading SURMISES Mrs. Horton and Jessie walked around the house to the bed-room window, and stood surveying the pile of rubbish beneath it, wondering greatly why a fire should break out in that place.

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

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "I'm not blaming you, Leslie, but it is true that young folks can't be too careful with fire.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I wouldn't be a mite surprised now, if you just filled the kitchen stove full of dry stuff and set it off when you built a fire to get your supper."