Chapter IV

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “Well, no-o, sir,” admitted Major Larry.

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

(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 He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

a supporter who accepts something as true

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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 “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

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

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

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

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

a digital tape recording of sound

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

a quad with a square body

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

the act of exhibiting

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

start firing a weapon

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

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

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

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

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading “Well, no-o, sir,” admitted Major Larry.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading “Well, no-o, sir,” admitted Major Larry.

not any; not one

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading “Well, no-o, sir,” admitted Major Larry.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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 He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

comparative of “odd” — not divisible by two

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

above and across; more than

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

term of address for a man

From this reading “Well, no-o, sir,” admitted Major Larry.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

painstakingly careful and accurate

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.

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

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

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

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

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

From this reading “P’raps dat aint jus’ w’at he said, but it’s w’at he was gettin’ at, anyhow.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “Well, no-o, sir,” admitted Major Larry.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

which person or people

From this reading “Perfectly proper,” said the colonel, who is a thorough believer in the virtues of controlled fire.

the words that are spoken

From this reading In odder words, he give ’em to understan’ dat, w’en it come to firin’ by comp’ny, w’at he said _went_!”

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

From this reading He ’xplained to ’em dat if ’twas truly fightin’, ’stead o’ bein’ de imitation, he’d keep ’em all under his t’umb, an’ not let ’em give no exhibition of a lead shower-bat’, by squirtin’ bullets all over de lan’scape at deir own sweet conveniences.