Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

to or in a foreign country

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

(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 The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

put or send forth

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

a fractional monetary unit of several countries

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

rid of obstructions

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

with great urgency

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

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

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

someone who makes or mends dresses

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

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

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

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

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

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

From this reading 'Well, try me; how does the wireless machine work?'

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading 'Well, try me; how does the wireless machine work?'

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

engage in

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

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

From this reading 'Well, try me; how does the wireless machine work?'

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

for each

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading 'The third way is for you to make it plain to the explainer that he does not understand what he is explaining.'

express in words

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

be seated

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading 'And the third way?'

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

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

plural of “try” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

make an effort or attempt

From this reading 'Well, try me; how does the wireless machine work?'

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

used to ask for information about something

From this reading 'Well, the first way is, if a man tries to explain what "per cent" means, or the difference of "odds on," or "odds against," that is, if they don't gamble, they cast their hands desperately abroad, and cry, "Oh, don't, I never _can_ understand!"

medium for communication

From this reading 'Well, try me; how does the wireless machine work?'

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading 'Well, try me; how does the wireless machine work?'

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The second way is to sit and smile, and look intelligent, and think of their dressmaker, or their children, or their young man, and then to say, "Thank you, you have made it all so clear!"'