used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
anew
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
(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 All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
brightenedverbUS /ˈbraɪtənd/
past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
Connor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
permission to do something
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
consentedverbUS /kənˈsentɪd/
past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
core-drill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
made known or openly avowed
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
drillingnounUS /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/
the act of drilling
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
at any time
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
a boy or man
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
forthwithadverbUS /ˈfɔːrˈθwɪθ/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
an opening into or through something
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
and nothing more
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
immediately past
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
mercurialadjectiveUS /mərˈkjʊriəl/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
next-to-nothing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
not any; not one
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
one-thirdnounUS /ˌwʌnˈθɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
repayingverbUS /riˈpeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “repay” — pay back
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
have in common
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
carry out
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
tetherverbUS /ˈteðər/
tie with a tether
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
male cat
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
precisely as stated
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
(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 My father knew Tom well enough to know that he had been just as sure twenty times before, but Tom was so eager and so plausible that at last he agreed that he should sink one more hole--but no more.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
at the time that
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
in or at the place that
From this reading He was sure of striking it this time, he had studied the formation carefully and he had selected a spot where the chances of disappointment were, as he declared, "next-to-nothing."
whereupon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very reluctantly my father consented--for what did he want with a one-third share in a core-drill?--whereupon Tom, the load of debt being off his mind, brightened up again in an instant--he was a most mercurial fellow--and forthwith he fell to begging my father's consent to his making one more attempt--just one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading All his drilling had brought no result; he was at the end of his tether; he could see no possible chance of ever repaying the borrowed money, and so, said he, would my father take his interest in the drill in settlement of the debt?
YETMORE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading YETMORE'S MISTAKE Three months had elapsed when Tom Connor turned up one day with a very long face.
