Chapter X

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

(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 O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Look at prize fightin', fer instance.

plural of “athlete” — a person trained to compete in sports

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading It's a queer thing, though, but true none the less, that there's nothin' much worse than some branches o' sport.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

a bottle opener that pulls corks

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

a tortuous and twisted shape or position

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading Look at prize fightin', fer instance.

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

From this reading Look at prize fightin', fer instance.

plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Look at prize fightin', fer instance.

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

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

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

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It's a queer thing, though, but true none the less, that there's nothin' much worse than some branches o' sport.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Look at prize fightin', fer instance.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

used to form the superlative

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

not one, and not any

From this reading It's a queer thing, though, but true none the less, that there's nothin' much worse than some branches o' sport.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery

From this reading Look at prize fightin', fer instance.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading It's a queer thing, though, but true none the less, that there's nothin' much worse than some branches o' sport.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

a person who rings church bells (as for summoning the congregation)

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It's a queer thing, though, but true none the less, that there's nothin' much worse than some branches o' sport.

in a special manner

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

carry out

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

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

From this reading O' course, I'm not sayin' that some fights aren't on the level, an' all that, but take them as a rule and the scraps and scrappers are so crooked they could hide behind a corkscrew."

a special situation

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It's a queer thing, though, but true none the less, that there's nothin' much worse than some branches o' sport.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It's a queer thing, though, but true none the less, that there's nothin' much worse than some branches o' sport.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

precisely as stated

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

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

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

which person or people

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being

From this reading "Crookedness is a bad thing in any line of business or amusement, but it's specially bad in anythin' like sport, that in its very nature ought to be kept clean and wholesome.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.

an affirmative

From this reading CROOKED WORK "Yes, me byes, there's nothin' in this wide world much worse, to me manner o' thinkin', than a 'ringer.'" It was Reddy who spoke, following up a conversation in which most of the athletes had joined.