Chapter II

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

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

(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 Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

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

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

react verbally

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

a device that controls amount of light admitted

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

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

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

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

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

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

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

possessive form of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

at any time

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

make happy or satisfied

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

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

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

plural of “hatch” — the production of young from an egg

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading What vessel? the reader may perhaps inquire.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

an old breed of powerful deep-chested smooth-coated dog used chiefly as a watchdog and guard dog

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading What vessel? the reader may perhaps inquire.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

a breed of very large heavy dogs with a thick coarse usually black coat; highly intelligent dogs and vigorous swimmers; developed in Newfoundland

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

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

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

not any; not one

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

by chance

From this reading What vessel? the reader may perhaps inquire.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading What vessel? the reader may perhaps inquire.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

any of several usually small short-bodied breeds originally trained to hunt animals living underground

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

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

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

a special situation

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

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

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night,--a very dark night indeed.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

(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, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What vessel? the reader may perhaps inquire.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading No dog's mouth, whether terrier, mastiff, or Newfoundland, was ever so dark as that night.

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

From this reading The hatches had been battened down, and every aperture but one, by which any of the great, curly-pated, leaping waves could jump into the vessel, had been closed.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.

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

From this reading Well, that being a piece of reasonable curiosity,--although I do wish, as a general thing, that readers would not be so impatient,--I will gratify it, and answer the inquirer's question; and, indeed, would have told him all about it in five minutes if he would but have given me time.