Chapter XII · Saved by a Woman’s Wit

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

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

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

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

anew

From this reading “We’ve done ’em yit again.

a Hebrew shepherd and minor prophet

From this reading “Hooray!” shouted Amos.

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

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading “We’ve done ’em yit again.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

a quad with a square body

From this reading “We’ve done ’em yit again.

restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

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

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

a golf shot that curves to the left for a right-handed golfer

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

a victory cheer

From this reading “Hooray!” shouted Amos.

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

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

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

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

plural of “invader” — someone who enters by force in order to conquer

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

and nothing more

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

in like or similar manner

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

for more time

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

move in loops

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

on one occasion

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

above and across; more than

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

the arrangement of the body and its limbs

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

with speed

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

in a vehement outcry

From this reading “Hooray!” shouted Amos.

a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

inflected form of “slam” — close violently

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

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

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

past form of “vacate” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

out of your own free will

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

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

From this reading “We’ve done ’em yit again.

during the time that

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

From this reading He vacated his kneeling posture at the door, slamming and hooking the slide over the loop in it, and turned and looked wildly about the cabin for a means of fastening up the shutter.

unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition

From this reading Sergeant Dick’s automatic at once spoke rapidly; and, shot through the brain, three of the would-be invaders fell back from the bulwark, while the others, fearing the same fate, voluntarily let go and likewise disappeared.

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading Keep the shutter up just a little longer, sergeant, and I’ll be able to help ye.”

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

From this reading “We’ve done ’em yit again.