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 A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

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

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

on or to one side

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

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

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

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

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

past form of “converse” — carry on a conversation

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

plural of “cutting” — the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

one or the other of two

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

pass by

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

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

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

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

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

the act of departing

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

plural of “laborer” — someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

set afire or burning

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

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

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

the force of workers available

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

not any; not one

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

yielding a fair profit

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

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

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

-ing form of “relieve” — provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

cut with a saw

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

unusual or striking

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

the first light of day

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

in a swift manner

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the cars as they were drawn to and fro.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

in the direction of

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

worthy of trust or belief

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

except if; if not

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

not set afire or burning

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

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

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Into one of these the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a careful search should be made.

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

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

in or at the place that

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

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

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

during the time that

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

make whistling sounds

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.

belonging to which person

From this reading Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have been.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Here, paying but little attention to what was going on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while away the moments which must elapse before the labor was ended.

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

From this reading A SINGULAR ACCIDENT Two trustworthy men had been selected from the night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour before the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the slope where the miners were at work.