Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

later than; following

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

in the past

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

a quantity of money

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

a relation that provides the foundation for something

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

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

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

someone (a person or firm) who contracts to build things

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

possessive form of “contractor” — someone (a person or firm) who contracts to build things

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

pecuniary reimbursement to the winning party for the expenses of litigation

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

an explosive containing nitrate sensitized with nitroglycerin absorbed on wood pulp

From this reading "I'll send out for some dynamite and shoot it.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

divisible by two

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

the act of digging

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I'll send out for some dynamite and shoot it.

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

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

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

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

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

From this reading "I'll send out for some dynamite and shoot it.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

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

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

a single distinct event

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I'll send out for some dynamite and shoot it.

and nothing more

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

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

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

not any; not one

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

plural of “plow” — a farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

characterized by profanity or cursing

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

possessing material wealth

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading "I'll send out for some dynamite and shoot it.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

hit with a missile from a weapon

From this reading "I'll send out for some dynamite and shoot it.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

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

From this reading "I'll send out for some dynamite and shoot it.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

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

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

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

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

not covered with clothing

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

in a way that was not expected

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

up to a particular time

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

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

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

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

From this reading If it wasn't for damned troubles like this, I'd been a retired man and fat and rich long ago.

at the time that

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.

plural of “wipe” — the act of rubbing or wiping

From this reading "That wipes out a piece of my profits," he remarked to Bryant, after a first profane explosion.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

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

From this reading Work on the canal section near the river advanced without incident until, one morning early in November, the plows unexpectedly uncovered a forty-foot-wide body of granite just beneath the surface.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading This particular difficulty was not serious, and was the contractor's; but Pat Carrigan was no more pleased than any other contractor would have been at finding rock, even a small amount, when he had figured his excavation costs on a dirt basis.