used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
any thing at all
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
BONNYadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːni/
very pleasing to the eye
From this reading BONNY DISCOVERS HIS FRIEND THE TRAMP.
bossnounUS /bɑːs/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
DISCOVERSverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərz/
third-person singular of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading BONNY DISCOVERS HIS FRIEND THE TRAMP.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
employeesnounUS /emˈplɔɪiz/
plural of “employee” — a worker who is hired to perform a job
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading BONNY DISCOVERS HIS FRIEND THE TRAMP.
obtain
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BONNY DISCOVERS HIS FRIEND THE TRAMP.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
a message received and understood
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
instructedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
loggingnounUS /ˈlɔːɡɪŋ/
the work of cutting down trees for timber
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
and nothing more
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
not any; not one
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
revenuenounUS /ˈrevənuː/
the entire amount of income before any deductions are made
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He inquired of the train hands and other employees if they had seen anything of such boys as he described, but could gain no information concerning them.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
TacomanounUS /təˈkoʊmɑː/
a city in west central Washington on an arm of Puget Sound to the south of Seattle
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BONNY DISCOVERS HIS FRIEND THE TRAMP.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
a special situation
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
create by training and teaching
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
TRAMPnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading BONNY DISCOVERS HIS FRIEND THE TRAMP.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
at the time that
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
which person or people
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading As he could not imagine any reason why they should do such a thing, he was thoroughly bewildered, and waited about the station for some minutes, expecting them to turn up.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was late in the afternoon when the train reached Tacoma, and the logging boss discovered that the lads whom he had been especially instructed to bring with him had disappeared.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The revenue officer was merely an acquaintance whom he had met by chance on the train, and who now waited a few minutes to see how this affair would turn out.
