Chapter XXII

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

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

(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 “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

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

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective

From this reading Nothing for Melvin; nothing for Dickinson; two papers for Varrell; Dick’s heart sank.

United States poet noted for her mystical and unrhymed poems (1830-1886)

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

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

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

spread out or scattered about or divided up

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

promote over another

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Nothing for Melvin; nothing for Dickinson; two papers for Varrell; Dick’s heart sank.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

the literary culture

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

wearing protective mail

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

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

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

used to form the superlative

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

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

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing for Melvin; nothing for Dickinson; two papers for Varrell; Dick’s heart sank.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

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

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Nothing for Melvin; nothing for Dickinson; two papers for Varrell; Dick’s heart sank.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

with little or no delay

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Nothing for Melvin; nothing for Dickinson; two papers for Varrell; Dick’s heart sank.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading “If the letters arrived Saturday, and the people attended to the matter promptly, the answers might have been mailed Saturday night.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

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

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

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

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

a special situation

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

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

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

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

From this reading Nothing for Melvin; nothing for Dickinson; two papers for Varrell; Dick’s heart sank.

up to a particular time

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

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

From this reading Nothing for Melvin; nothing for Dickinson; two papers for Varrell; Dick’s heart sank.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

at the time that

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

which person or people

From this reading “More likely they didn’t arrive until Saturday night or this morning,” replied Dickinson, who took a less optimistic view.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE DECISION OF THE COURT “WE certainly ought to hear to-night,” said Melvin on Monday, as, with Phil and Dickinson, he hung round the office, waiting for the mail to be distributed.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Then if the people are like most others when you ask them for a favor, they’ll get round to the thing on Tuesday or later, and the letters may arrive on Thursday or any time during the following week—if indeed they are written at all.”