Chapter VII

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

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

From this reading “Shall we tackle him?” asked Ned.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

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

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

(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 “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

a cruelly rapacious person

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

muscular and heavily built

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

a person who shows fear or timidity

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

someone who pays for goods or services

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

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

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

a boy or man

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

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

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

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

From this reading “Shall we tackle him?” asked Ned.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

offensive term for a person of German descent

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

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 TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

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

From this reading “Shall we tackle him?” asked Ned.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

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

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

have faith or confidence in

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

free from harm or evil

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “Shall we tackle him?” asked Ned.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

the person who plays that position on a football team

From this reading “Shall we tackle him?” asked Ned.

carry out

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

a source of difficulty

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

displeasing to the senses

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

the act of using

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

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

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading TO THE RESCUE Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Shall we tackle him?” asked Ned.

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

From this reading “We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

in or at the place that

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

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

From this reading He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way.