Chapter XXII

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

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

possessing life

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

(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 “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

react verbally

From this reading For answer Thad drew forth the packet, and held it out to the officer.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

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

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

plural of “dispatch” — an official report (usually sent in haste)

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading For answer Thad drew forth the packet, and held it out to the officer.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading “Here it is, just as the messenger gave it into our possession,” he explained.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading For answer Thad drew forth the packet, and held it out to the officer.

a person of French nationality

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading “Here it is, just as the messenger gave it into our possession,” he explained.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading For answer Thad drew forth the packet, and held it out to the officer.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

of great significance or value

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

and nothing more

From this reading “Here it is, just as the messenger gave it into our possession,” he explained.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

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

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

a person who carries a message

From this reading “Here it is, just as the messenger gave it into our possession,” he explained.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “Here it is, just as the messenger gave it into our possession,” he explained.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading For answer Thad drew forth the packet, and held it out to the officer.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading For answer Thad drew forth the packet, and held it out to the officer.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading “Here it is, just as the messenger gave it into our possession,” he explained.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

express in words

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

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

From this reading For answer Thad drew forth the packet, and held it out to the officer.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

a special situation

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

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

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

beyond belief or understanding

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

plural of “uniform” — clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a particular group as a means of identification

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

having no precedent; novel

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

tell voluntarily

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

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

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

during the time that

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

which person or people

From this reading THE MAN WHO SAVED PARIS The officer stared, as well he might.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was a most unprecedented thing, and almost unbelievable, that important dispatches should have been given into the hands of a party of mere American boys who happened to be wearing the uniforms of Scouts, to be delivered, while there was yet a Frenchman alive to volunteer for the duty.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Do you mean to tell me this is true, and that you have carried these precious papers all the way here to Headquarters?” he exclaimed.