Chapter III

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

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

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

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

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

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT MR.

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

the two together, not just one

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

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

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

without stop or interruption

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

a quad with a square body

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

plural of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

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

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

a man who is a native or inhabitant of Ireland

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

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

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

fitted with or secured by a key

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

a small natural hill

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

a state of confusion and disorderliness

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

a form of address for a man

From this reading AT MR.

hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

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

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

and nothing more

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

thrust or throw into

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

a mental impression retained and recalled from the past

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

having a supporting base

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

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

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

United States artist who developed Tiffany glass (1848-1933)

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

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

From this reading CARHART’S CAMP “It takes an Irishman, a nigger, and a mule to build a railroad,” said Tiffany.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Young Van, keyed up by this sudden plunge into frontier work, was only half listening to the flow of good-natured comment and reminiscence from the chief engineer at his elbow.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

in or at the place that

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading “The mule,” he continued, “will do the work, the nigger will drive the mule, and the Irishman’ll boss ’em both.”

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

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading With Young Van, he was standing in front of the headquarters tent, which, together with the office tent for the first division, where Old Van would hold forth, and the living and mess tents for the engineers, was pitched on a knoll at a little distance from the track.