Chapter IV

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

(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 All that remained were Father and Mother Minnow, Baby Minnow, and the Twins.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

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

From this reading Oh, quite wonderful are the hidden treasures of the brook!

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading All that remained were Father and Mother Minnow, Baby Minnow, and the Twins.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

plural of “burst” — the act of exploding or bursting

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

a social unit living together

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading All that remained were Father and Mother Minnow, Baby Minnow, and the Twins.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

not accessible to view

From this reading Oh, quite wonderful are the hidden treasures of the brook!

moving with great haste

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

and nothing more

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

without good reason

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

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

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

very small European freshwater fish common in gravelly streams

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading All that remained were Father and Mother Minnow, Baby Minnow, and the Twins.

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Oh, quite wonderful are the hidden treasures of the brook!

on one occasion

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

covered with a firm surface

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

with low volume

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Oh, quite wonderful are the hidden treasures of the brook!

any competition

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading All that remained were Father and Mother Minnow, Baby Minnow, and the Twins.

plural of “ripple” — a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

past form of “scoop” — take out or up with or as if with a scoop

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All that remained were Father and Mother Minnow, Baby Minnow, and the Twins.

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

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

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

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

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading Oh, quite wonderful are the hidden treasures of the brook!

hard to endure

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

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

From this reading THE MINNOW TWINS Once upon a time the minnow family had been a very large one, for there were fifteen of the children by actual count; but one day a cruel net was dropped lightly into the brook, and twelve of them were scooped up and taken away.

at the time that

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

in or at the place that

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

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

From this reading It was such a delightful brook where the minnow family lived--one of the kind which runs along quietly for a short way, then suddenly bursts into little laughing ripples, bubbling, foaming, and hurrying along madly, as though it were trying to race away from itself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading The brown bed of the brook was all paved with wonderful pebbles, and when the sun shone down upon them they sparkled just like fairy jewels.