Chapter X

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

any person at all

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

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

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

invests in a theatrical production

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

a member of the Shoshonean people who formerly lived between Wyoming and the Mexican border but are now chiefly in Oklahoma

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

plural of “diversion” — an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

divisible by two

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

a person who fells trees

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

provide with a combustible substance that provides energy

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

a long fixed look

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

plural of “gent” — informal abbreviation of “gentleman”

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

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

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

the quality of being honest

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

a member of a nomadic people who invaded Europe in the 4th century

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

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

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

and nothing more

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

deliver a lecture or talk

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

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 Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

the force of workers available

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

not any; not one

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

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

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

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

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

having or showing only one eye

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

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

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

plural of “sucker” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

carry out

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading If anybody doubted that he took long chances, let that man step up and put down his money.

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

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

a sudden or mysterious disappearance

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

characterized by variety

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

marked by a ready flow of speech

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

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

From this reading Shanklin was running off about the same old line of talk, for he was more voluble than inventive, and never varied it much.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

have a certain weight

From this reading Gents were invited to step up and weigh the honesty of those dice, and gaze on the folly of an old one-eyed feller who had no more sense than to take such long chances.

(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 It served just as well as a new lecture for every occasion, for the memory of suckers is even shorter than their judgment.

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

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

at the time that

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

which person or people

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading HUN SHANKLIN'S COAT Several sheep-herders, who had arrived late to dip into the vanishing diversions of Comanche, and a few railroad men to whom pay-day had just supplied a little more fuel to waste in its fires, were in Hun Shanklin's tent when Dr. Slavens and his backer arrived.