Chapter XV

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

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

anew

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

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

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

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

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

have

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

a race between candidates for elective office

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

a stopping

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

determining or having the power to determine an outcome

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

brought together in one place

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

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

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

superlative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

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

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

of great significance or value

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

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

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

prepare or cook with lard

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

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

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

having notes of fixed rhythmic value

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

not any; not one

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

the middle of the day

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

on one occasion

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

plural of “operator” — (mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

something that results

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

United States film actor who portrayed incorruptible but modest heros (1908-1997)

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

painstakingly careful and accurate

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The Bear was explicit in his instructions, and acting on these, Stewart and Ray took a furious pace.

buying or selling securities or commodities

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

up to a particular time

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading Measured by the volume of trading done, Monday was the heaviest day of the four.

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

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

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

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

at the time that

From this reading Sponley’s operators on the floor, Stewart and Ray, began selling when the big bell gave the signal at half-past nine, and until it rang again, at half-past one, there was no cessation.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE STARTING OF AN AVALANCHE However important a campaign may be, however long it may have been in the making, the hours which prove really to be decisive are likely to be few.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The dramatic situation in the lard market was the outcome of months of thorough planning, of ingenious preparation, of well-concealed manipulation; but once the actual fighting began, and the whole commercial world gathered around to see, it lasted but three days and a little way into the fourth, that is, from Monday morning to an hour before noon on Thursday.