Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

to come to rest, settle

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

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

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

a youthful male person

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

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

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading "Of course," replied the surly man.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

your usual mood

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

an estimate based on little or no information

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

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

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

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

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

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

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

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

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

small in range or scope

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading "Of course," replied the surly man.

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

the force of workers available

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

a human being

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "Of course," replied the surly man.

cut with a saw

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

the act of searching for something

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

a male human offspring

From this reading "Must be the son of some big bug," hazarded one of the idlers.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

hard to endure

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

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

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

at the time that

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

which person or people

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

belonging to which person

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.

in the company of; together with

From this reading SEEKING A JOB The stopping of the Limited at the little settlement of Fairfax was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of the dozen or so men who were lounging about the station, and when they saw that such an unusual proceeding was to allow a mere boy to alight, they stared at him with unfeigned interest.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "Can't a person get off here without starting a guessing match?" commented a third.

the words that are spoken

From this reading "Or else he was put off for trying to beat his way," declared another, whose surly disposition was evident in his words.