Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

(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 “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

any person at all

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

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

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

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

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

past form of “borrow” — get temporarily

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

a soft partly suppressed laugh

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

someone who pays for goods or services

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

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

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

at any time

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

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

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

an occurrence of something

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

the temporary provision of money (usually at interest)

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

take the midday meal

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

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

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

make reference to

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

immediately following in time or order

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

and nothing more

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

a full supply

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

Identical; not different.

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

ready for service or able to give long service

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

express a supposition

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

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

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

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

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

in spite of the fact that

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

except if; if not

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty

From this reading “Means a bank wants its money back; that’s all,” he said.

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

(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 “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading THE next day, at lunch, she asked her father what it meant, though she did not mention Dan; and she brought out a crackling chuckle from that old bit of hickory, now brittle and almost sapless, but still serviceable.

at the time that

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.

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

From this reading “There’s plenty of reasons why a bank wants money—same as anybody else.”

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

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

From this reading “But suppose I’d borrowed of a bank and was a good customer, and the bank knew I had plenty of property to cover the loan, would the First National, for instance, ever worry me to pay it, if they knew I only needed a little time to get all I owed it?”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Not unless we thought you mightn’t be as able to pay us as well later on as when we ask for it,” the old man answered.