Chapter XVII · Lynx Law

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

a state at a particular time

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

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

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

being one more than ten

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

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

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

the act of departing

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

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

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

only a very short time before

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

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

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

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

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

plural of “planet” — (astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

by chance

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

not in physical motion

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

required or under orders

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

express in words

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

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

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

in the direction of

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

not known

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading Donald had asked anxiously several times how the night was going.

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

From this reading It was still far from that, but evidently the particular hour Donald mentioned was wearing upon his mind, and he took counsel from his fears.

(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 As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading But then Donald was hardly in a condition to depend on himself, and so he several times whispered to Rob:

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading As a scout he might possibly have been able to tell this fairly well by the position of the heavenly bodies, particularly the planets; for every scout is supposed to include this woodsman’s trick in his education before he can call himself fit to wander at will in an unknown wilderness.

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

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading “Is it gitting alang toward eleven, wud ye mind tellin’ me?”