used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
consider or hold as true
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
at or in the front
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
(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 The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
designatedverbUS /ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪd/
past form of “designate” — assign a name or title to
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
excusesnounUS /ɪksˈkjuːsɪz/
plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
filingnounUS /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/
the entering of a legal document into the public record
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
for a limitless time
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
assemble or get together
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
holdernounUS /ˈhoʊldər/
a holding device
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
not in action or at work
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
set down according to a plan
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
land-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
lapseverbUS /læps/
pass into a specified state or condition
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
engage in
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
MeanderverbUS /miˈændər/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
not any; not one
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
no person; not anyone
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
nonappearancenoun
failure to appear (especially as at court)
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
be standing; be upright
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
tractsnounUS /trækts/
plural of “tract” — an extended area of land
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NUMBER ONE In Meander that morning people began to gather early at the land-office, for it was the first day for filing, and a certain designated number, according to the rules laid down and understood before the drawing, must appear and make entry on their chosen tracts.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
at the time that
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The United States Government would accept no excuses; the machinery of its vast, admirable business could not be thrown out of gear for an hour or a day, and stand idle while the clerks waited for the holder of Claim Number One to come from some distant part and step into his own.
which person or people
From this reading There had been a good deal of talk and excitement over the nonappearance in Meander of the man who drew the first chance.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Number One would have to be there to file first, as Number Two could not be entered ahead of him, and if he did not step up to the window when it opened, his chance was gone forever.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The story had gone around, from what source nobody knew, that he would lapse, in which case Number Two would become Number One, and all along the line would advance.
