Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading FRANK PROVES HIMSELF A HERO.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

(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 was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

eagerly desirous

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

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

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

at any time

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading FRANK PROVES HIMSELF A HERO.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading FRANK PROVES HIMSELF A HERO.

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

From this reading FRANK PROVES HIMSELF A HERO.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.

weight to be borne or conveyed

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

a native or inhabitant of Mexico

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

absolutely essential

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

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

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading FRANK PROVES HIMSELF A HERO.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.

not used up

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

plural of “try” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to fight, if it should become necessary.

the act of using

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

precisely as stated

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

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

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

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

From this reading He was now more anxious than ever for the arrival of his two friends, for he did not like the idea of remaining alone in the house all night, with so much money under his charge, and a villainous-looking Mexican hovering about.

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

From this reading "If Pierre gets into that office to-night, he'll have to use an ax; and if he tries that"-- Frank finished the sentence by shaking his head in a threatening manner, and taking down his rifle, which he proceeded to load very carefully.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "There!" said Frank, with something like a sigh of relief.