used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
at or in or to any place
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
bootnounUS /buːt/
footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
comingsnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋz/
plural of “coming” — the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
coy-man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Dave! where was he?
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
someone who is a detective
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
in a serious manner
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
erraticadjectiveUS /ɪˈrætɪk/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
goingsnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋz/
plural of “going” — the act of departing
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
Hickathrift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
a boy or man
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
lendverbUS /lend/
bestow a quality on
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
lentnounUS /lent/
a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
not one, and not any
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
by chance
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Dave might be anywhere, and not return perhaps for days.
slingsnounUS /slɪŋz/
plural of “sling” — a highball with liquor and water with sugar and lemon or lime juice
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
carry out
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
temptverbUS /tempt/
dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
temptingadjectiveUS /ˈtemptɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
a special situation
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
precisely as stated
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Hickathrift had refused to lend him one, badly as he wanted it; and here by accident was the very thing he wanted staring at him almost as if asking him to take it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
well-rubbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His comings and goings were very erratic, and Dick tried to think that if the man were there he would have lent him the gun.
in or at the place that
From this reading And Dave! where was he?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But it was at none of these that Dick looked so earnestly, but at the 'coy-man's old well-rubbed gun hanging in a pair of slings cut from some old boot, and tempting the lad as, under the circumstances, a gun would tempt.
