used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
CAPTUREverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading THE CAPTURE OF THE THIEF.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
congratulatingverbUS /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
emeraldsnounUS /ˈemrəldz/
plural of “emerald” — a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
grapevinenounUS /ˈɡreɪpvaɪn/
gossip spread by spoken communication
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
jammedadjectiveUS /dʒæmd/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
lariatnounUS /ˈleriət/
a long noosed rope used to catch animals
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CAPTURE OF THE THIEF.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
a course of conduct
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
required or under orders
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CAPTURE OF THE THIEF.
theftnounUS /θeft/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
THIEFnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading THE CAPTURE OF THE THIEF.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/
a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
trippedverbUS /trɪpt/
inflected form of “trip” — miss a step and fall or nearly fall
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As Toby Sam stole on, congratulating himself on his clever theft, he tripped suddenly over what seemed to be a grapevine in the path.
at the time that
From this reading The supposed grapevine was a lariat, as he knew when a man sprang on him, caught him by the throat, jammed his head back against the ground, and commanded him to keep silent on pain of having his throat cut.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading The fingers of the man were like iron in their hold, and the command was made in a hoarse whisper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The place was a mile or less from the cave, and the capture was made at a time when Toby Sam felt absolutely sure of getting away with the emeralds.
