Chapter VIII

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

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in English-speaking countries

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

matters of personal concern

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

a quantity of money

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

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

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

cause to slow down or get stuck

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

plural of “cent” — a fractional monetary unit of several countries

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

covered with water

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

the time of life between 40 and 50

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

large in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

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

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

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

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

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

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

plural of “marsh” — low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

above and across; more than

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

having an owner; often used in combination

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

for each

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

a coniferous tree

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

plural of “prairie” — a treeless grassy plain

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

producing or capable of producing (especially abundantly)

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

past form of “purchase” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

past form of “range” — change or be different within limits

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

of or relating to the practice of science

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

-ing form of “select” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

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

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

the season of growth

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

believed or reputed to be the case

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

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

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

in or at that place or location

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

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

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

in the direction of

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

an extended area of land

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

plural of “tract” — an extended area of land

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

being five more than twenty

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

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

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.

of no value

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading THE FLOATING BOG In settling up some business affairs, Mr. Allen had come into possession of a tract of two thousand acres of swamp land lying toward the western side of the bed of the ancient sea.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

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

From this reading Timber scouts had ranged over it, and selecting the forties upon which there were sand knolls covered with a goodly amount of pine timber, the land would be purchased by their employers, the lumber companies, to be cut over at their convenience.

produce a literary work

From this reading At the time of which I write there were vast tracts of such supposedly valueless land owned by the state, and which could be purchased for ten dollars per “forty,” twenty-five cents per acre.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The low-lying prairies, flooded in the spring season, and the lower marshes covered with water much of the year, were thought to be not worth the twenty-five cents per acre asked by the state.

a late time of life

From this reading In later years, by a system of drainage, and through scientific farming, much of this land became highly productive and valuable.