Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

having companions or an escort

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

causing inconvenience

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

a youthful male person

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But law's law, and orders is orders."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies

From this reading "This is Deputy Sheriff Rogers, from Hamilton," she explained.

true confidential information

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

conveyance consisting of a wheeled support on which a camera can be mounted

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading "This is Deputy Sheriff Rogers, from Hamilton," she explained.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

death of a person

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

plural of “guide” — someone employed to conduct others

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

plural of “gypsy” — a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading "This is Deputy Sheriff Rogers, from Hamilton," she explained.

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

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

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

From this reading "This is Deputy Sheriff Rogers, from Hamilton," she explained.

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

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading "But law's law, and orders is orders."

possessive form of “law” — the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading "But law's law, and orders is orders."

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

a woman of refinement

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

a dealer in textiles (especially silks)

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

immediately following in time or order

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading "But law's law, and orders is orders."

money demanded for the return of a captured person

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)

From this reading "This is Deputy Sheriff Rogers, from Hamilton," she explained.

past form of “row” — propel with oars

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

the principal law-enforcement officer in a county

From this reading "This is Deputy Sheriff Rogers, from Hamilton," she explained.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading "Sorry, ma'am, if it's awkward jest now," said the officer.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

give testimony in a court of law

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

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

From this reading "This is Deputy Sheriff Rogers, from Hamilton," she explained.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

the present time or age

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."

a source of difficulty

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

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

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

which person or people

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A FRIEND IN TROUBLE The next morning Eleanor Mercer, summoned from the group of girls with whom she was discussing some details of the coming contest with the Boy Scouts by the appearance of a man who had rowed up to the little landing stage, accompanied by one of the guides, old Andrew, called Bessie King and Dolly Ransom to her with a grave face.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "He says that you must go there today to testify against those gypsies."