Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

later than; following

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

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

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

capability to perform or produce

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

clothing in general

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

without deviation

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

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

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

be suspended or hanging

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

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

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

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

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

extremely

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

a boy or man

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

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

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

stiff cardboard made by pasting together layers of paper

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

-ing form of “procure” — get by special effort

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

and nothing more

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

in the near future

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Tall and inordinately thin, the man's clothes seemed simply to hang from his shoulders.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

create by training and teaching

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

hard to endure

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.

plural of “vocation” — the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

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

From this reading As the train stopped at one station after another, people kept getting aboard, and soon the car in which Bob was riding was filled to its capacity.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

at the time that

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

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

From this reading A TALE OF THE PLAINS Placing in his pocket the money and the precious piece of pasteboard which possessed the magic power of procuring for him transportation to the land of his dreams, Bob rose from the breakfast-table and made his way back to his chair.

which person or people

From this reading Having nothing better to do, the lad amused himself by studying each new passenger, and he was amusing himself in trying to assign them to their proper vocations, when he was attracted to the man who came in and took the seat directly in front of him.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading His hair, of a curious rusty gray, seemed to stick out from under the faded straw hat, and his whole appearance suggested nothing so much as a scarecrow.