Chapter VI · A False Alarm

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

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

(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 “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

-ing form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

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

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

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

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

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

From this reading “Are you sure it was this same man, Hiram?” asked Rob.

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

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

a youthful male person

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

someone who plays a bugle

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

marked by continuous change or effective action

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

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

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

a person who fells trees

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

at or to or toward the front

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

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

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

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

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

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

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

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

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

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

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

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

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

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

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

someone who is the first to think of or make something

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Are you sure it was this same man, Hiram?” asked Rob.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

and nothing more

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

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

From this reading “Are you sure it was this same man, Hiram?” asked Rob.

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

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

used to form the superlative

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

easily agitated

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

not divisible by two

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

and nothing more

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

above and across; more than

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

a full supply

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

with speed

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

on the contrary

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

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

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

Identical; not different.

From this reading “Are you sure it was this same man, Hiram?” asked Rob.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

moving as on a slippery surface

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

not in physical motion

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “Are you sure it was this same man, Hiram?” asked Rob.

carry out

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

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

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

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

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

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

From this reading “Are you sure it was this same man, Hiram?” asked Rob.

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

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He had a rather odd little limp you see, and this feller did, too.”

in the direction of

From this reading “I only had a quick look at him, and his back was toward me,” explained the nervous inventor, “but I’m most certain it was that agent.

a group of soldiers

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

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

From this reading “Are you sure it was this same man, Hiram?” asked Rob.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

during the time that

From this reading “Not at all; there’s plenty of room still,” replied the troop bugler, quickly slipping out and allowing Hiram to take his place, while he leaned forward over the back of the seat so he could join in the conversation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

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

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Andy, would you mind changing seats with Hiram?” asked Rob, upon hearing what the boy behind him had just said.