Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

(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 "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

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

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

make a strident sound

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

possessive form of “charity” — a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)

From this reading "SWEET CHARITY'S SAKE."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

more than is needed, desired, or required

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "I know that," interrupted Ned.

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

discontinued temporarily

From this reading "I know that," interrupted Ned.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

past form of “kick” — drive or propel with the foot

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "I know that," interrupted Ned.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

the force of workers available

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading Poor old Mike!

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

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Poor old Mike!

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

in a very offensive manner

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

above and across; more than

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Poor old Mike!

a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

precisely, exactly

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading "SWEET CHARITY'S SAKE."

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading "SWEET CHARITY'S SAKE."

-ing form of “tamp” — press down tightly

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

in or at that place or location

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

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

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."

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

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading "Papa said he was outrageously careless, to have any of the stuff lying around loose; and 'twas a wonder that there weren't any more men near enough to be killed.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You see," Howard was explaining to Ned, that evening, "he'd put in his charge for the blast, and was tamping it down all right; but he kicked over his drill, and the end fell on an extra package of giant powder."