Chapter V · A Big Surprise

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

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

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

From this reading One of these they recognized almost instantly as Jared Applegate.

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

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

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

From this reading One of these they recognized almost instantly as Jared Applegate.

-ing form of “apply” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

aroused to action

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

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

From this reading One of these they recognized almost instantly as Jared Applegate.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

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

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

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

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

an association of criminals

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

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

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

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

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

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

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

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

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading One of these they recognized almost instantly as Jared Applegate.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

past form of “jar” — be incompatible; be or come into conflict

From this reading One of these they recognized almost instantly as Jared Applegate.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading One of these they recognized almost instantly as Jared Applegate.

cut with a saw

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

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

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

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

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

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

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

up to a particular time

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

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

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

plural of “tramp” — a vagrant

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.

used especially of timbers or boards; bent out of shape usually by moisture

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

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

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Time and weather had warped the boards of the structure till fair-sized cracks gaped here and there.

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

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

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

From this reading At first they had thought that these were nothing more than a gang of tramps, but the name of the engineer, spoken with a foreign accent, had aroused them to a sense that, whoever was in the old barn, a subject was being discussed that might be of interest to their new friends.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The boys made for one of these, with the object of peering into the place and getting a glance at its occupants.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Applying their eyes to two cracks in the timbers, they saw that within the barn four persons were seated.