Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

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

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

later than; following

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

British choreographer (1906-1988)

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

possessive form of “ashton” — British choreographer (1906-1988)

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading DETECTIVES AT WORK.

used as intensifiers

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading DETECTIVES AT WORK.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

being one more than seventeen

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

a quad with a square body

From this reading If the gals found it out it might set 'em agin him."

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

tendency to forget

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

set up or found

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

plural of “gal” — United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

the act of departing

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading If the gals found it out it might set 'em agin him."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the gals found it out it might set 'em agin him."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

someone employed to clean and maintain a building

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If the gals found it out it might set 'em agin him."

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading If the gals found it out it might set 'em agin him."

by chance

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading If the gals found it out it might set 'em agin him."

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

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

United States suffragist and feminist; called for reform of the practices that perpetuated sexual inequality (1815-1902)

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

express in words

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

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

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

not firmly fastened or secured

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

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

From this reading Miss Ashton's forgetfulness was not of a kind to be depended upon.

(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 He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Mr. Stanton, the janitor, had come to her a few days after the sleigh-ride to tell her that he had found a back window unlocked; that he was sure he had locked it carefully before going to bed, and that under the window was the print of footsteps.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading DETECTIVES AT WORK.

a late time of life

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.

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

From this reading He "kind o' hated," he said, "to be a-telling on the gals, but then, agin, he hadn't been there nigh eighteen years without learning that gals were gals, as well as boys were boys, and weren't allers--not zactly allers--doin' jist right; perhaps it was best to let Miss Ashton know, and then--there now--he hated to do it awfully.