Chapter X

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

later than; following

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

(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 After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

a youthful male person

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

carefully weighed

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

causing one to believe the truth of something

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

possessive form of “cox” — either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

set up or found

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

a pair of people who live together

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

used to form the superlative

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

no person; not anyone

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

held or filled or in use

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

so unreasonable as to invite derision

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

an easy victory

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

plural of “straggler” — someone who strays or falls behind

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

a solemn statement made under oath

From this reading After all, the boy, Bob, and his mates, gave the most convincing testimony regarding the strangers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

not known

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

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

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

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

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

during the time that

From this reading The party from Milton waited at the village for an hour while the lawyer cross-questioned the inhabitants.

which person or people

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading INTO THE WILDERNESS But the lawyer and guardian of the runaway Birdsall twins was not so easily convinced that Agnes had found the trail of the lost Ralph and Rowena.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading It was not that any of these people wished to hobble Mr. Howbridge's curiosity regarding the "stragglers," as they called the strangers who sometimes joined the community; but nobody had considered it his or her business to question or examine in any way the two unknown girls (if they were girls) who had occupied Manny Cox's shack for a week.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It seemed preposterous that the twins should have joined these rough fisherfolk and lived with them in the ice-village.