Chapter V

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

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

later than; following

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

(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 We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

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

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

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

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

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

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

for the reason that

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

the two together, not just one

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

causing or capable of causing death

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

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

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

a boy or man

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

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

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

plural of “grip” — the act of grasping

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

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

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

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

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

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

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

of great significance or value

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

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

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

an occurrence of something

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

a secret society of white Southerners in the United States; was formed in the 19th century to resist the emancipation of slaves; used terrorist tactics to suppress Black people

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

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

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

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

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading All our signals were simple things like that that wouldn’t be noticed.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

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

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

come together

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

being perceived or observed

From this reading All our signals were simple things like that that wouldn’t be noticed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

on one occasion

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading All our signals were simple things like that that wouldn’t be noticed.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

plural of “password” — a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

make or move along with a sound as of a horse's hooves striking the ground

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

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

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

cause friction

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

past form of “shove” — come into rough contact with while moving

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading All our signals were simple things like that that wouldn’t be noticed.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

express in speech

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

in or at that place or location

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

up to a particular time

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

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

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

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

From this reading Right up till snow was on the ground the Ku Klux Klan used to meet in the cave.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

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

From this reading For instance, if I was to reach around and scratch my back when Mark or Plunk or Binney were looking, that meant that I had to speak to them right away about something important; and if one of us shoved both hands in his pockets at once that meant to look out because enemies were watching.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

at the time that

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

during the time that

From this reading After a while we got so many signs that a fellow had to be pretty careful what he was up to so as not to be telling the other members he was in deadly peril, or that a secret meeting was called at once, or something else, because almost everything we did had a meaning.

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

From this reading We would go up there Saturday mornings, all coming by different roads, and when we met there would be passwords and signals and grips and all sorts of secret things.

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

From this reading All our signals were simple things like that that wouldn’t be noticed.