used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
Alvin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
Beartown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/
a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
criminalsnounUS /ˈkrɪmənəlz/
plural of “criminal” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
Deerfoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
disableverbUS /dɪˈseɪbəl/
make unable to perform a certain action
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
the act of discovering something
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
one or the other of two
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
Haynes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
Landon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
engage in
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
the force of workers available
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading The motive for a similar theft was now much stronger.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The motive for a similar theft was now much stronger.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The motive for a similar theft was now much stronger.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
on one occasion
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
robberiesnounUS /ˈrɑːbəriz/
plural of “robbery” — larceny by threat of violence
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading The motive for a similar theft was now much stronger.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
in or at or to some place
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
move hurridly
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
STARTLINGadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The motive for a similar theft was now much stronger.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
theftnounUS /θeft/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading The motive for a similar theft was now much stronger.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
the act of using
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
wantonnessnoun
the trait of lacking restraint or control; reckless freedom from inhibition or worry
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY Nothing was more natural than that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes should be concerned for the safety of the motor launch _Deerfoot_.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading It was evident that the criminals had come to Beartown, or as near to it as they could come, by water, and their boat was somewhere in the neighborhood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
which person or people
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were likely to discover the _Deerfoot_, if they had not already done so, and knowing its superior speed, would either make use of or disable it so it could not be employed for pursuit.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It had been stolen from them once in simple wantonness by two young men who had nothing to do with the post office robberies.
