used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
barrelnounUS /ˈbærəl/
a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
Can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
crackernounUS /ˈkrækər/
a thin crisp wafer made of flour and water with or without leavening and shortening; unsweetened or semisweet
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
envelopesnounUS /ˈenvəloʊps/
plural of “envelope” — a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
galsnounUS /ɡælz/
plural of “gal” — United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
the act of departing
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
grocer'snounUS /ˈɡroʊsərz/
possessive form of “grocer” — a retail merchant who sells foodstuffs (and some household supplies)
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
Grubb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
JanusnounUS /ˈdʒeɪnəs/
(Roman mythology) the Roman god of doorways and passages; is depicted with two faces on opposite sides of his head
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
the literary culture
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
engage in
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
passelnounUS /ˈpæsɪl/
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
postals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
postmasternounUS /ˈpoʊstmæstər/
the person in charge of a post office
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "Gals?" questioned the storekeeper.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
storekeepernounUS /ˈstɔːrkiːpər/
a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading "Gals?" questioned the storekeeper.
carry out
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There's a lot of mail here for the parties, mostly postals.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading "I hear that Janus Grubb is going to take a passel of gals on a tramp over the hills," observed the postmaster, helping himself to a cracker from the grocer's barrel.
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 Can't make much out of the postals, but some of the letters I can read through the envelopes by holding them against the window."
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes.
