Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

(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 "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

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

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

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

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

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

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

intentionally conceived

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

affected with madness or insanity

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

-ing form of “experiment” — to conduct a test or investigation

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

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

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

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

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

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

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

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

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

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

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

a small worthless amount

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

darkened with overcast

From this reading THE LEADEN TUBE.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

by chance

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

-ing form of “practice” — carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

medium for communication

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

set that receives radio or tv signals

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

for a short time

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

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

From this reading THE LEADEN TUBE.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

a special situation

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "I think that there is some explanation back of all this," said Jack, "and for my part the sooner we get to the hospital, the better I shall be pleased.

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

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

male cat

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases

From this reading THE LEADEN TUBE.

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

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

except if; if not

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

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

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

a small bottle that contains a drug (especially a sealed sterile container for injection by needle)

From this reading "It's certainly a queer sort of thing for a man to carry about--a glass vial full of black grit so carefully protected, unless he is crazy or something," commented Tom.

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

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.

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

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

during the time that

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The following day, while they were experimenting and practicing with the radio telephone, the boys received word that the man in the hospital was conscious and wished to see them, if possible.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "Perhaps now we shall get some explanation of that queer tubeful of sand," said Jack, as he hung up the telephone receiver, having informed the physician that they would be at the hospital shortly.