Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

how long something has existed

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

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

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

for the reason that

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)

From this reading CAPTAIN SAM BEGINS HIS MARCH.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

a youthful male person

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

a hazard on a golf course

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading CAPTAIN SAM BEGINS HIS MARCH.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading The rest of the party had already enlisted and could not go.

the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

past form of “enlist” — join the military

From this reading The rest of the party had already enlisted and could not go.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

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

From this reading CAPTAIN SAM BEGINS HIS MARCH.

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

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

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

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

having the knees abnormally close together and the ankles wide apart

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

staying power

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

superlative of “light” — of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

march in a procession

From this reading CAPTAIN SAM BEGINS HIS MARCH.

past form of “march” — march in a procession

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

the middle of the day

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

approval to do something

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

on the contrary

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The rest of the party had already enlisted and could not go.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading CAPTAIN SAM BEGINS HIS MARCH.

possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

English poet (1554-1586)

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

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

From this reading At noon the next day Sam marched away from the camp at the head of his little company, reduced now to precisely six boys in all, counting the colored boy Joe, but not counting Captain Sam himself.

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

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

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

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

the act of using

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

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

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.

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

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

which person or people

From this reading Tommy was of the party of course, and the other boys were Billy Bunker--called Billy Bowlegs by the boys, because he was not bow-legged at all but on the contrary badly knock-kneed,--Bob Sharp, a boy of about Tommy's size and age, and Sidney Russell, a boy of thirteen, who had "run to legs," his companions said, and was already nearly six feet high, and so slender that, notwithstanding his extreme height, he was the lightest boy in the company.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Jake Elliott was one of the company, rather against Sam's wish, but he had begged for permission to go, and Sam thought his size and strength might be of use in some emergency.