Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

later than; following

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

fearless and daring

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

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

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

someone who is no longer alive

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

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

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

(of sounds) repeating by reflection

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

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

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

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

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

an opening into or through something

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

crowded or massed together

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

and nothing more

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

no person; not anyone

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

filled with satisfaction

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

provoking fear terror

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

past form of “smell” — inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The interior of the church was pretty scary at first, it was so dark and empty and smelled so religious.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

express in speech

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

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

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

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

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

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

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

in a timorous and trepid manner

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

in the direction of

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

the act of testing something

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

not encouraging or approving or pleasing

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

up to a particular time

From this reading But after listening cautiously until he was satisfied that nobody was about but his own company, Sube made bold to speak.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading All of them started at the hollow echoing sound of Sube's voice, and Cathead made a movement towards the window.

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

(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 "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

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 TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Well, Giz," he said, "why don't you trot out your wonderful mershum swimmin'-hole?"

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

From this reading TRIAL MERSHUM A short time afterwards the four boys clambered through a narrow opening in the lower section of a window that was sacred to the memory of Zenas Wheelock, deceased, and his three wives, equally deceased, and huddled timorously just inside in readiness to retreat at the first unfavorable symptom.