Chapter XXVI

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

later than; following

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

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

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

a youthful male person

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

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

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

in a self-satisfied manner

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

move away from a place into another direction

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading “Well, did you get the pass-key?” questioned the manager.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

to come or go into

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “Well, did you get the pass-key?” questioned the manager.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

fasten with a hook

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

twining perennials having cordate leaves and flowers arranged in conelike spikes; the dried flowers of this plant are used in brewing to add the characteristic bitter taste to beer

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

a cage (usually made of wood and wire mesh) for small animals

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

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

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

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

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

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

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

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

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

English empiricist philosopher who believed that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience (1632-1704)

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading When the pitcher had vanished, the man rose and returned to his room.

someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading “Well, did you get the pass-key?” questioned the manager.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

easily agitated

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

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

From this reading “Well, did you get the pass-key?” questioned the manager.

hit lightly with a picking motion

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

(baseball) the person who does the pitching

From this reading When the pitcher had vanished, the man rose and returned to his room.

in the near future

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading “Well, did you get the pass-key?” questioned the manager.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading When the pitcher had vanished, the man rose and returned to his room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading When the pitcher had vanished, the man rose and returned to his room.

cut with a saw

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

for a short time

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

term of address for a man

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

cut a female screw thread with a tap

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

male cat

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson’s invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.

a source of difficulty

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

having passed out of existence

From this reading When the pitcher had vanished, the man rose and returned to his room.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

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

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “Well, did you get the pass-key?” questioned the manager.

at the time that

From this reading When the pitcher had vanished, the man rose and returned to his room.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

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

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE LETTER IN THE DESK Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast, Hutch had a private talk in his room with one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following which he complacently strolled down to the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and depart on his way to church.

an affirmative

From this reading “Yes, sir,” answered the boy; “I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn’t looking, but if I’m caught I’ll be in a peck of trouble.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Well, did you get the pass-key?” questioned the manager.