Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

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

From this reading I ain't the nark!"

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

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

any thing at all

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

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

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

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

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

-ing form of “bash” — hit hard

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

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

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

being one more than ten

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

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

From this reading "I'm not 'Enry.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

the act of grasping

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

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

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

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

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

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

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

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

From this reading I ain't the nark!"

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

From this reading "I'm not 'Enry.

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

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

an informer or spy working for the police

From this reading I ain't the nark!"

not any; not one

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I'm not 'Enry.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

and nothing more

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

above and across; more than

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

a human being

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

continue talking

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

plural of “protest” — a formal and solemn declaration of objection

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

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

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

made afraid

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

(rugby) the method of beginning play in which the forwards of each team crouch side by side with locked arms; play starts when the ball is thrown in between them and the two sides compete for possession

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

the act of searching for something

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

a waste pipe that carries away sewage or surface water

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

requiring a standing position

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

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

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

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

From this reading I ain't the nark!"

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

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

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

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

From this reading But he was turned face downward, and his mouth was over a gully-hole, so that his protests scared only the rats in the sewer.

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

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

at the time that

From this reading When, however, as at present, eleven happy lads were seeking each a grip on his person, it became difficult to defeat their purpose.

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

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.

twisted (especially as in pain or struggle)

From this reading He set his teeth, and writhed and jerked and swung, and for some seconds no bashing could proceed, for he was of the stuff of which swordsmen are made--small, lithe, and light: useless in a stand-up fight with fists, but good for anything in a scrum.