Chapter XXIII · Crossing the Alleghanies

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

how long something has existed

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

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

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

in a composed and unconcerned manner

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

plural of “emergency” — a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

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

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

made afraid

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

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

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

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

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

lacking power

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

with little or no delay

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

an easy victory

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

express in words

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

with good sense or in a reasonable or intelligent manner

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

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

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

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

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

a special situation

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

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

From this reading He had been sensibly brought up by his practical father, and taught to face emergencies coolly and calmly.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

precisely as stated

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.

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

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading So little “Prince Dusty,” by remembering what he had been taught, and having the common-sense to put it into practice, was able to prevent a terrible disaster.

which person or people

From this reading They would have, as people say, lost their heads; but Arthur was not one of the kind who lose their heads.

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

From this reading Some boys of his age would have been so frightened at finding themselves in a runaway car, plunging madly down a mountain-side, that they would have become panic-stricken and utterly powerless to help themselves or others.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Young as he was, he had learned to stop and think “What is the best thing to be done?” and then to do it promptly to the very best of his ability.