Chapter I

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

perfect or complete or pure

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Only Rayton and old Wigmore were absolutely at their ease.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Only Rayton and old Wigmore were absolutely at their ease.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

plural of “bean” — any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food

From this reading White beans had to do in the place of the usual chips.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

strips of potato fried in deep fat

From this reading White beans had to do in the place of the usual chips.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

unvarying in nature

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

containing errors or alterations

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading White beans had to do in the place of the usual chips.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

move gently or carefully

From this reading Only Rayton and old Wigmore were absolutely at their ease.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

a loud laugh that sounds like a horse neighing

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

immediately past

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

the force of workers available

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

a form of address for a man

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

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

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Only Rayton and old Wigmore were absolutely at their ease.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

and nothing more

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading White beans had to do in the place of the usual chips.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

past form of “pride” — be proud of

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

possessive form of “raleigh” — English courtier (a favorite of Elizabeth I) who tried to colonize Virginia; introduced potatoes and tobacco to England (1552-1618)

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

a person who represents others

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So it happened that five representative men of the settlement, and Mr. Rayton, sat and played poker one October night in Rayton's snug living room.

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

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Only Rayton and old Wigmore were absolutely at their ease.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

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

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

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

From this reading White beans had to do in the place of the usual chips.

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

not liable to failure

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading White beans had to do in the place of the usual chips.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

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

From this reading Only Rayton and old Wigmore were absolutely at their ease.

a Caucasian

From this reading White beans had to do in the place of the usual chips.

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

From this reading Only Rayton and old Wigmore were absolutely at their ease.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.

a late time of life

From this reading _Author of "A Captain of Raleigh's," "Comrades of the Trails," "Red Feathers," etc._ Samson's Mill Settlement had, for the past fifteen years, prided itself on its absolute respectability; and then came Reginald Baynes Rayton, with his unfailing good humor, his riding breeches, and constant "haw-haw"--and corrupted the community.

but in spite of that

From this reading They had done it before--only last week, in fact--but the sense of guilty novelty had not yet worn off.