Chapter XL

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

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

(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 I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

a disposition toward being alone

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

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

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

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

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

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

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

rid of obstructions

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

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

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

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

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

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

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

flow off gradually

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

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

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

come to pass

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

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

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

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

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

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

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

with speed

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

coming to understand something clearly and distinctly

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

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

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

close violently

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

express a supposition

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading Before mine had completely left me, I had attempted to telephone to Sam, down in the outfit’s quarters, and had failed to get a reply to my call.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

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

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

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

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

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

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

hard to endure

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

on a floor above

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

a message informing of danger

From this reading It was the slam of the screen door behind them, I think, bringing with it as it did the realization of my aloneness and the memory of Miss MacDonald’s warning, that turned me clear over to terror.

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

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

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

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading To this day I don’t know why they went, without a question; but they went, running.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading The End I suppose it takes more than a minute for one’s wits, particularly if they happen to be thick wits, to drain entirely away.

any of various plants of the genus Zinnia cultivated for their variously and brightly colored flower heads

From this reading I had told Mrs. Ricker and Zinnia, trying with all my might to hide my fear, to run out and find Sam, or Miss MacDonald, or Hubert Hand, or John—I had forgotten that John was upstairs in his room—and to bring one or all of them to the house as quickly as possible.