Chapter X

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

later than; following

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

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

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

at or in or to any place

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

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

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

harass with persistent criticism or carping

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

a person who is being chased

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

someone who pays for goods or services

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The Worm Mine was something we had started a few days earlier.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

turn up, loosen, or remove earth

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide absorbs water and is used to remove moisture)

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading The Worm Mine was something we had started a few days earlier.

every person

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

to travel for the purpose of discovery

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

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

From this reading The Worm Mine was something we had started a few days earlier.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

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

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

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

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

the act of departing

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

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

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

only a very short time before

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

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

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

plural of “minnow” — very small European freshwater fish common in gravelly streams

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

slightly wet

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

possessive form of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The Worm Mine was something we had started a few days earlier.

orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The Worm Mine was something we had started a few days earlier.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

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

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

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

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

not given to gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

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

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

except if; if not

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading Minnows are the best bait, but they are hard to get and harder to keep, so nearly everybody uses worms.

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

From this reading The Worm Mine was something we had started a few days earlier.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

at the time that

From this reading When everything is moist, you can dig worms almost anywhere on the island, but, when a dry spell comes on, the ground gets drier and drier, and the worms go down so deep that you can dig for an hour out back of the cottages and not get a worm.

during the time that

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading THE TREASURE HUNT The night after we had chased the Tough Customer and the Rat from Birch Island we had a meeting of the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company in the shaft-house of the Five Friends’ Worm Mine.

plural of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Everybody knows it is hardly worth while going fishing unless you have worms or minnows for bait.