Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

later than; following

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

aroused to action

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

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

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

a youthful male person

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

-ing form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

fail to meet the hopes or expectations of

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

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

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

at any time

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

opinion or judgment

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

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

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

the act of giving

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

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

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

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

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

a particular point in time

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

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

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

in an anxiously nervous manner

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

the state of being prominent: widely known or eminent

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

recurring again and again

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

in a sleepy manner

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

the state of being asleep

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

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

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

not yet payable

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

having or bringing misfortune

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

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

From this reading Perplexing Scenes Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my duty.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

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

From this reading "If the sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege, then we're not likely to see much from this point."

(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, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

which person or people

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

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

From this reading "Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

in the company of; together with

From this reading After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance, I might disappoint him.