Chapter XXX

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

later than; following

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

from appearances alone

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

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

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

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

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

a category falling within certain defined limits

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

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

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

brought together in one place

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

the property of holding together and retaining its shape

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

slightly wet

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

wicked and cruel behavior

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

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

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

a flour mixture stiff enough to knead or roll

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

form into flakes

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

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

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

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

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

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

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

not any; not one

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

on one occasion

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

and nothing more

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

above and across; more than

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

a small sphere

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

a human being

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

inflected form of “plug” — fill or close tightly with or as if with a plug

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

established beyond doubt

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

a dough-like mixture of whiting and boiled linseed oil; used especially to patch woodwork or secure panes of glass

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

in the recent past

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

the act of removing

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

cut with a saw

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

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

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

past form of “smear” — stain by smearing or daubing with a dirty substance

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

not in physical motion

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Taking the swing lamp from its bracket I examined the door more closely and saw that there had once been a fastening of some sort.

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

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

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

very small

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

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

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading When I picked out the bread-plugs--which had only recently been put in, as they were still damp--I saw that the screw-holes were clean inside, although there were tiny rings of dirt on the outside where the roughened edges had brushed against the fingers and collected whatever it was which had been smeared upon them.

at the time that

From this reading This, when I picked it up, proved to be a pellet of bread kneaded to the consistency of putty or dough.

in or at the place that

From this reading MORE DEVILRY There was no fastening to the door of my cabin, but on passing my hand over the place where a fastening might have been expected, a flake of soft substance caught in my finger-nail and dropped to the floor.

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

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

which person or people

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A closer examination convinced me that the person who had removed the fastening had been to the pains of plugging the empty screw-holes with kneaded bread, after which he had apparently rubbed dirt-smeared fingers over the place where the fastening had been, in order to hide the marks left by removal.