Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

at or in the front

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

(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 "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

any thing at all

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

quick and energetic

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

lacking funds

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

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

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

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

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

a club that is used as a weapon

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

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

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

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

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

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

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

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

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

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

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

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

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

as a matter of instinct

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

a small worthless amount

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

and nothing more

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

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

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

tough and callous by virtue of experience

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

Identical; not different.

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

dependable

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

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

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

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

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

feeling intense pleasurable excitement

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

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

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

not necessary

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

close enough to be walked to

From this reading Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk.

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

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!"

at the time that

From this reading But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead.

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

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.

a specific feeling of desire

From this reading Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake.