Chapter V · Perplexed

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

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

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

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

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

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

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

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

being joined in close association

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

of large size for its weight

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

of or relating to or used in cooking

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

cooking in fat or oil in a pan or griddle

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

brought together in one place

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

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

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

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 Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

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

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

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

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

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

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

the sound of laughing

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

flesh of a lobster

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

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

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

something you have to do

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

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

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

above and across; more than

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

make a sweeping movement

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

-ing form of “perfect” — make perfect or complete

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

the act of competing as for profit or a prize

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

an earnest and sincere feeling

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

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

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

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

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

inflected form of “shrug” — raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

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

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

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

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

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

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

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

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

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

From this reading Steve Haddon shrugged his bulky shoulders and ran his fingers through an already much towsled mop of brown hair.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

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

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

under normal conditions

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

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

From this reading There was a regular cook attached to the camp, but every other evening supper was prepared by the boys themselves as a means of perfecting themselves in the culinary art.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading A shout of laughter went up from the group of fellows gathered in the cook shack.

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

From this reading Usually these occasions were marked by an earnest seriousness, for there was great rivalry between the various tents; but to-night a spirit of levity undoubtedly prevailed.

in or at the place that

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “But why shouldn’t he have been in the dory, you old lobster?” asked Billy McBride, from where he bent over the frying pan.