Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

(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 BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

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

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

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

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

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

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

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

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

an argument opposed to a proposal

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

the person who leads a musical group

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

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

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

recognizable; marked

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

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

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

third-person singular of “earn” — earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

make void or empty of contents

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

divisible by two

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

the act of acquiring something

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

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

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

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

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

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

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

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

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

the act of retaining something

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

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

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

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

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

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

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

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

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

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

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

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

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

not any; not one

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

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

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

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 The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

plural of “railroad” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

get or find back; recover the use of

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

use slang or vulgar language

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

plural of “speaker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

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

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

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

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

create by training and teaching

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

plural of “tramp” — a vagrant

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

hard to endure

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

communicated in words

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

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

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

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

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

at the time that

From this reading BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

in or at the place that

From this reading Looking about to find out where the angry man was, Bob could see no one.

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

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

which person or people

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I'll get even with that 'con' for putting me off the blind baggage, see if I don't!"

the words that are spoken

From this reading The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, "con" betokened conductor, and "blind baggage" the platform of the coach in a passenger train nearest the engine.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But the next instant another voice asking, "How you goin' to do it?" decided him that the speakers must be crouching against the end of the empty coal car to which he was holding.