Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

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

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Yet this advantage only served to delay the ending.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

(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 McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

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

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

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

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading Yet this advantage only served to delay the ending.

command with authority

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

-ing form of “egg” — throw eggs at

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)

From this reading Yet this advantage only served to delay the ending.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

in a physically fierce manner

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

a young female

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

the act of grasping

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

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

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

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

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

a port and state capital of Tasmania

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

United States golfer who won many major golf tournaments (1912-1997)

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

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

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

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 McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

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

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

the property of being narrow; having little width

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

and nothing more

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

someone who fights (or is fighting)

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Yet this advantage only served to delay the ending.

very drunk

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

not in physical motion

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

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

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

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

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

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

From this reading Yet this advantage only served to delay the ending.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

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

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

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

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

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

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front.

at the time that

From this reading McADAMS BLOWS IN It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

during the time that

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

which person or people

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

lean and sinewy

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But it was three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency.

past form of “wrench” — twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates

From this reading He recognized two of the fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet this advantage only served to delay the ending.