Chapter I

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

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

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

a youthful male person

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

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

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

clothing in general

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

expressing extreme contempt

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

having hair of a dark color

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

an athletic competition that involves diving into water

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

one or the other of two

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

special importance or significance

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

moving swiftly

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

tall and thin and having long slender limbs

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

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

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

plural of “inventor” — someone who is the first to think of or make something

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

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

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

a small worthless amount

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

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

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

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

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

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

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

and nothing more

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

above and across; more than

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

as yourself

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

a function word that is used in place of a noun or noun phrase

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

on the contrary

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

transport commercially

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

a request to be present

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

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

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

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

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

male cat

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

a professional killer who uses a gun

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

a sudden or mysterious disappearance

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

at the time that

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

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

From this reading “That is a question to which I can only reply when I can see either Jack Chadwick or Tom Jesson personally.

which person or people

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading My name is Ned Nevins,--not that either of them knows me,--but will you be so kind as to find out if they’ll see me?”

medium for communication

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TRIUMPH,” “THE BOY INVENTORS AND THE VANISHING GUN,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT,” “THE BOY INVENTORS’ FLYING SHIP,” ETC., ETC.

small workplace where handcrafts or manufacturing are done

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “What do you want to know that for, anyhow?” and upon the personal pronoun he placed a contemptuous emphasis.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading “Humph!” and the gangling, rather disagreeable-looking youth who had answered the summons to the door of the Boy Inventors’ workshop, gave a supercilious look over the dusty and worn, although carefully mended, clothes of the dark-eyed, dark-haired, slender youth who confronted him.