Chapter XII · The Penalty of Meddling

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

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

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

of or relating to or characteristic of Belgium or the Belgian people

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

a monarchy in northwestern Europe; headquarters for the European Union and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading "We'll do the best we know how," Thad informed him.

-ing form of “bother” — take the trouble to do something; concern oneself

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

try to prevent; show opposition to

From this reading It'll help discourage envy on their part.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "We'll do the best we know how," Thad informed him.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another

From this reading It'll help discourage envy on their part.

divisible by two

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

at any time

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

the act of departing

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

an utterance expressing pain or disapproval

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading It'll help discourage envy on their part.

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading "We'll do the best we know how," Thad informed him.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

having much knowledge or education

From this reading "We'll do the best we know how," Thad informed him.

have in mind as a purpose

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

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

From this reading It'll help discourage envy on their part.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "We'll do the best we know how," Thad informed him.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It'll help discourage envy on their part.

smoke and exhale strongly

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

Identical; not different.

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

a person, without saying who

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

carry out

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

express in words

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading "We'll do the best we know how," Thad informed him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It'll help discourage envy on their part.

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

a special situation

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading "The thing that's bothering me," said Bumpus, a little later on, "is this.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading If the military in Belgium here are so hard up for cars that they'd even think to take such a tough-looking machine as this, how are we ever going to keep hold of the same, somebody tell me?"

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

From this reading "We'll do the best we know how," Thad informed him.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "For one thing, every time we chance to run across any Belgian soldiers I intend to coax the engine to puff and groan the worst you ever heard.