Chapter VII

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

possessive form of “bobby” — an informal term for a British policeman

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

highest in quality

From this reading He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

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

From this reading He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading They were relieved therefore to learn they were in plenty of time.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

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

From this reading He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

and nothing more

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

owed as a debt

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

yielding a fair profit

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

a full supply

From this reading They were relieved therefore to learn they were in plenty of time.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

in a regular manner

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading They were relieved therefore to learn they were in plenty of time.

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

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

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

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

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 He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading They were relieved therefore to learn they were in plenty of time.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

create by training and teaching

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

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

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.

look attentively

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The station agent at Roseville, as the town was named, had charge of the telegraph office as well.

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

From this reading PAYING AN OLD DEBT As Bobby's watch had been the only one in the party, the boys had not been able to keep track of the time during the latter part of their journey, and they were a little fearful that they might be late for their train.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was a kindly man and listened with the greatest sympathy to the boys' story.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The train was not regularly due for half an hour, and owing to the snowstorm it would probably be an hour or more behind time.