Chapter XXI

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

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

consider or hold as true

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

(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 With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

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

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

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

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

put or pin the blame on

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

a name given to a product or service

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

approval

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

set up or found

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

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

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

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

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

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

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

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

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

someone who doesn't understand what is going on

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

plural of “neglect” — lack of attention and due care

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

and nothing more

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

a person who is being chased

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

any competition

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

plural of “rue” — European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

past form of “scratch” — cause friction

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

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

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

a message informing of danger

From this reading ALFRED NEGLECTS THE WARNING OF DON'T TOUCH ME, AND RUES IT.

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

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But, in a lame sort of way, he found justification for the act.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

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

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He took the money with the firm intention of replacing it, and with the conviction (by what sophistry gained, heaven only knows) that he would be able to do so; and he gave himself credit for his intention, as if it were an act performed.

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

From this reading He would not accept the brand; fate and bad luck were to blame, not he.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading With part of the money he had backed horses to win a heavy stake, but his usual bad luck pursued him; in his vernacular, one horse was "pulled," another was "scratched" an hour before the race, and others went wrong in all sorts of ways.