Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

later than; following

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

(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 After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

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

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

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

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

a man who has never been married

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

(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 Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.

dearly loved

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

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

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.

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

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

divisible by two

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

at any time

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

a social unit living together

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

a boy or man

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

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

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

set up or found

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

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

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

a city in northeastern France in Lorraine

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

no person; not anyone

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

a regular payment to a person that is intended to allow them to subsist without working

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

highest in quality

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

a sum of money allotted on a regular basis; usually for some specific purpose

From this reading Even if she did sell it, she would pension the dear old fellow off on a stipend instead of an establishment.

express in words

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

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

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading _The Englishman's Check_ An hour later I found Fitz flat on the grass under one of the apple-trees behind the house, completely broken up by the discoveries of the morning.

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

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.

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

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Aunt Nancy was better than the average (Fitz was a bachelor), but then she had peculiar old family notions about selling land, and ten chances to one she would not sell a foot of it, and there right in the house sat a man with his pocket full of blank checks, any one of which was good for a million of pounds sterling.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading After all his work, here was the colonel worse off than ever.

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

From this reading Nobody could tell what a woman would do.