Chapter I

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

in addition

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

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

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

replying

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

eagerly desirous

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

having undergone the Christian ritual of baptism

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

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

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

a young person of either sex

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

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

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

demanding attention

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

a negative aspect of something that is generally positive

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

an old form of “has”

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

the act of retaining something

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

if nothing else (“leastwise” is informal and “leastways” is colloquial)

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

in a healthy manner

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

engage in

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

easily agitated

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

not any; not one

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

the act of umpiring

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

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

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

the possibility of future success

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

(especially of the face) reddened or suffused with or as if with blood from emotion or exertion

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

so extremely intense as to evoke screams

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

plural of “sponsor” — someone who supports or champions something

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

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

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'Hath this child been already baptised, or no?'

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading 'LADDIE,' 'DON,' 'POMONA,' 'BELLE,' 'PHOEBE'S HERO,' 'MISS TOOSEY'S MISSION,' 'TIP CAT,' ETC.

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

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

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

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

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading 'No, she ain't; leastwise we don't know as how she 've been or no, so we thought as we 'd best have her done.'

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.

which person or people

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The clergyman who was taking Mr Clifford's duty at Downside for that Sunday, thought that this might be the usual undecided way of answering among the natives, and proceeded with the service.

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

From this reading There were two other babies also brought that afternoon, one of which was crying lustily, so that it was not easy to hear what the sponsors answered; and, moreover, the officiating clergyman was a young man, and the prospect of holding that screaming, red-faced, little object made him too nervous and anxious to get done with it to stop and make further inquiries.