Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

any thing at all

From this reading It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that anything can be done about it.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that anything can be done about it.

plural of “captive” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

an occurrence of something

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that anything can be done about it.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that anything can be done about it.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that anything can be done about it.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading I wish Zeke were here to give his opinion on the subject."

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading I wish Zeke were here to give his opinion on the subject."

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

not close together in time

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.

immediately past

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I wish Zeke were here to give his opinion on the subject."

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading I wish Zeke were here to give his opinion on the subject."

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

plural of “ranch” — farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

delivered from danger

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

cut with a saw

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that anything can be done about it.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading I wish Zeke were here to give his opinion on the subject."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading It _is_ a hard case, that's a fact, and I don't see that anything can be done about it.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

in the direction of

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind

From this reading WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.

soldiers collectively

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

precisely as stated

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading "It is a hard case," said George to himself as he walked slowly toward the gate, "and I believe, as Mr. Wentworth does, that he has seen his children for the last time.

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

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT GEORGE KNEW ABOUT TRAILING.

inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading I wish Zeke were here to give his opinion on the subject."

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In the first place, the chances are that the Indians, having so long a start, will not be overtaken; but if they go out of their way to attack other isolated ranches, and the troops should come up with them, their very first act, if they saw that they were likely to be whipped, would be to kill their captives, so that they could not be rescued.

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

From this reading I wish Zeke were here to give his opinion on the subject."