used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
affrontnounUS /əˈfrʌnt/
a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
in a state of sleep
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
aspersionnounUS /əˈspɜːrʒən/
a disparaging remark
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
BRADYnounUS /ˈbreɪdi/
United States pioneer photographer famous for his portraits; was the official Union photographer for the American Civil War (1823-1896)
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
BURKEnounUS /bɜːrk/
British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
CONSULTATIONnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
coolernounUS /ˈkuːlər/
a refrigerator for cooling liquids
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
Dosy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
DUELnounUS /ˈduːəl/
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
ENSIGNnounUS /ˈensən/
a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
divisible by two
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
exterminatingverbUS /ɪkˈstɜːrməneɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “exterminate” — kill en masse; kill on a large scale; kill many
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
flammableadjectiveUS /ˈflæməbəl/
easily ignited
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
gracesnounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/
plural of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/
a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
MACNAMARA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
morrownounUS /ˈmɑːroʊ/
the next day
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
an angry dispute
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading "At night I had fallen asleep fierce in the determination of exterminating Brady; but with the morrow, cool reflection came--made probably cooler by the aspersion I had suffered.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
THEODOSIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
tindernounUS /ˈtɪndər/
material for starting a fire
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Then, besides, he might shoot me; and, in fact, I was not by any means so determined in the affair at seven o'clock in the morning as I was at twelve o'clock at night.
except if; if not
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
WADDY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
at the time that
From this reading How could I fight him, when he had never given me the slightest affront?
which person or people
From this reading To be sure, picking a quarrel is not hard, thank God, in any part of Ireland; but unless I was quick about it, he might get so deep into the good graces of Dosy, who was as flammable as tinder, that even my shooting him might not be of any practical advantage to myself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
WOODEN-LEG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW BOB BURKE, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH WOODEN-LEG WADDY, FOUGHT THE DUEL WITH ENSIGN BRADY FOR THE SAKE OF MISS THEODOSIA MACNAMARA.
