Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

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

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

a United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop)

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading Caleb chuckled.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint

From this reading Caleb chuckled.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

in a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

set up or found

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

in a humane manner

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

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

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

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

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

set afire or burning

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

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

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

above and across; more than

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

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

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

past form of “refill” — fill something that had previously been emptied

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

relating to human society and its members

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

an extreme state of worry and agitation

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

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

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

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

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

male cat

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

possessive form of “tom” — male cat

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

up to a particular time

From this reading "Nor I," said Tom curtly; and the conversation paused until the iron-master had deliberately refilled and lighted his corn-cob.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

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

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

at the time that

From this reading There was a picric quality in Tom's tone when he replied: "The calling act?--I have certainly found it so to-night."

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

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It's a-plenty onprofitable, Buddy, don't you reckon?" he ventured, referring to the social diversion.

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

From this reading Then, more humanely: "But as a means of relaxation it beats sitting here in the dark and stewing over to-morrow's furnace run--which is what you've been doing."