Chapter XII

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

(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 The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

a quantity of money

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

plural of “amount” — a quantity of money

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

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

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

any thing at all

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

only a very short time before

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

United States artist whose paintings portrayed life in the Midwest and South (1889-1975)

From this reading SHIPWRECKED “That looks promising,” said Benton.

a young woman indulged by rich and powerful older men

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

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

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

a digital tape recording of sound

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

apart from; not including

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

inquire into

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

destroyed or killed

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

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

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

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

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

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

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading SHIPWRECKED “That looks promising,” said Benton.

plural of “low” — an air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

not any; not one

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

a major river of western Siberia; flows generally northward and westward to the Gulf of Ob and the Kara Sea

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

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

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

the property of a continuous and connected period of time

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

more desirable than another

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

showing possibility of achievement or excellence

From this reading SHIPWRECKED “That looks promising,” said Benton.

past form of “reward” — bestow honor or rewards upon

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading SHIPWRECKED “That looks promising,” said Benton.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading SHIPWRECKED “That looks promising,” said Benton.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

a fabric used for suits

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SHIPWRECKED “That looks promising,” said Benton.

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

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

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

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

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

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

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

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

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

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

at the time that

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

in or at the place that

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

which person or people

From this reading The others followed close behind, all except Bimbo, who preferred to wait in the open air.

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

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Dere’s no tellin’ whut kind ob a conjur dere may be in dat place, an’ Ah ’lows Ah’ll stay outside,” he declared, with chattering teeth, and no amount of persuasion could get him to follow the others.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading “Let’s explore it and see if it amounts to anything,” and suiting the action to the word, he dropped to his knees and crawled into the narrow passage, that was barely wide enough to admit his broad shoulders.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading For their part, they were willing to risk worse things than ‘conjurs’ to find a place where they could dry out, and they had not gone far when their persistence was rewarded.