Chapter II · The Great Undertaking

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

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

later than; following

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

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

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

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

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

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

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

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

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

surprising greatly

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

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

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

the cognitive process that leads to convictions

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

past form of “blurt” — utter impulsively

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

of short duration or distance

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

plural of “cheer” — a cry or shout of approval

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

an inferior dog or one of mixed breed

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

the act of consuming food

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

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

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

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

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

hold firmly

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

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

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

only a very short time before

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

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

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

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

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

a message received and understood

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

past form of “kick” — drive or propel with the foot

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

information about recent and important events

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

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

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

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

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

the quality of being significant

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

evading duty or work by pretending to be incapacitated

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

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

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

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

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

a lightweight cord

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

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

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

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

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

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

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

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

From this reading The other three scouts stared at one another as though they could hardly grasp the full significance of the information.

bound or secured closely

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

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

From this reading A stray cur, in the act of skulking past, sped furiously down the road, evidently believing that it could almost hear the clatter of a tin can tied to its tail, though of course, scouts are never guilty of such a cruel proceeding.

plural of “trophy” — an award for success in war or hunting

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

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

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.

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

From this reading There was a brief interval after Billy had blurted out this astonishing news.

the act of signaling by a movement of the hand

From this reading Then, as if a signal had been given, every one of them dropped his fishpole and string of finny trophies, snatched off his hat, and, waving it above his head, let out a series of cheers.

to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

From this reading A mule that had been feeding in a lot near by kicked up his heels and started galloping wildly about his enclosure, doubtless under the impression that war had been declared, and the initial battle begun.