Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

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

From this reading "No matter, then," said William,--"no matter, Captain Hardy; we ain't particular,--any way you like.

(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 "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "No matter, then," said William,--"no matter, Captain Hardy; we ain't particular,--any way you like.

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

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

natural and unstudied

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

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

From this reading I'll put the question t' other way, then,--what did the bears do with you?"

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "No matter, then," said William,--"no matter, Captain Hardy; we ain't particular,--any way you like.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

not any; not one

From this reading "No matter, then," said William,--"no matter, Captain Hardy; we ain't particular,--any way you like.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading "No matter, then," said William,--"no matter, Captain Hardy; we ain't particular,--any way you like.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

pull or pull out sharply

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

having a pair of equal and opposite charges

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I'll put the question t' other way, then,--what did the bears do with you?"

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading I'll put the question t' other way, then,--what did the bears do with you?"

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

plural of “read” — something that is read

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "No matter, then," said William,--"no matter, Captain Hardy; we ain't particular,--any way you like.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading I'll put the question t' other way, then,--what did the bears do with you?"

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

express in words

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "No matter, then," said William,--"no matter, Captain Hardy; we ain't particular,--any way you like.

a special situation

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

at the time that

From this reading Shows, Among Other Curious Matters, That Two Boys Are Better Than One, and That Pluck Is a Good Thing, Especially When Polar Bears Are Around.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.

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

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

an affirmative

From this reading "Well," replied the Captain, laughing in his free-and-easy way, like a jolly old sailor as he was, taking his long pipe out of his mouth that he might do it all the better, "I think it was pretty near being what the bears did with us, my hearties! yes, that would be quite as near the mark, I'm thinking."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The next record we have of the doings of the ancient mariner and his little friends reads thus:-- "You will tell us to-day what you did with the bears,--won't you, Captain Hardy?" inquired William.