Chapter XXXVI · Chapter 36

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

(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 Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

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

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

on or to one side

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

a youthful male person

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

biting and grinding food in your mouth so it becomes soft enough to swallow

From this reading "So?" said Heine, chewing on his cigar and peering into the safe.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading "So?" said Heine, chewing on his cigar and peering into the safe.

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

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

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

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

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

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

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

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

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

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

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

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

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

moving to the inside of something

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

the literary culture

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading "So?" said Heine, chewing on his cigar and peering into the safe.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "So?" said Heine, chewing on his cigar and peering into the safe.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

comparative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

resembling or having the qualities of soap

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

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

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

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

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

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

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right, but I guess I'm some smarter.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

displeasing to the senses

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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 OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

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

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why, I got evidence enough in here t' 'lectrocute a dozen Soapys."

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading OF A PACKET OF LETTERS M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy window.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t' get ugly with me, Heine, boy!