Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

later than; following

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

in the past

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

Having no one else present.

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

react verbally

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

relating to the antipodes or situated at opposite sides of the earth

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

United States writer and humorist best known for his novels about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (1835-1910)

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading In the course of his letter this occurs:

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

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

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

the state capital of Connecticut; located in central Connecticut on the Connecticut river; a center of the insurance business

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

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

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

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

From this reading In the course of his letter this occurs:

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

an instinctive motive

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

a search for knowledge

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

immediately past

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading In the course of his letter this occurs:

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 CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

wearing protective mail

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

third-person singular of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading In the course of his letter this occurs:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the course of his letter this occurs:

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

the charge for mailing something

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

express in words

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

United States inventor who built a steam-powered automobile (1849-1918)

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

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

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

a special situation

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

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

From this reading In the course of his letter this occurs:

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

a source of difficulty

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

precisely as stated

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

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

From this reading Here was the single essential detail of my letter answered three days after I had mailed my inquiry.

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

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading “I am willing to give you” [here he named the terms which he had given Stanley] “for an antipodean tour to last, say, three months.”

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

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

produce a literary work

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

a late time of life

From this reading I might have saved myself the trouble and the postage--and a few years ago I would have done that very thing, for I would have argued that my sudden and strong impulse to write and ask some questions of a stranger on the under side of the globe meant that the impulse came from that stranger, and that he would answer my questions of his own motion if I would let him alone.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading CLEMENS,--It is so long since Archibald Forbes and I spent that pleasant afternoon in your comfortable house at Hartford that you have probably quite forgotten the occasion.”