Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading "Another joke--and so soon!" gasped Sam Rover.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

a formal public statement

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "Another joke--and so soon!" gasped Sam Rover.

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

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

lacking funds

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

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

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

someone who is a detective

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

in an inquiring manner

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

house for a farmer and family

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading "Another joke--and so soon!" gasped Sam Rover.

a young female

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

the act of beginning something new

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

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

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading "Another joke--and so soon!" gasped Sam Rover.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

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

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

not any; not one

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

feeling great sexual desire

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

precisely, exactly

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading "Another joke--and so soon!" gasped Sam Rover.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Another joke--and so soon!" gasped Sam Rover.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

in the near future

From this reading "Another joke--and so soon!" gasped Sam Rover.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "That certainly is the limit!" broke out Dick Rover, as he started for the house.

process in which skin pigmentation darkens as a result of exposure to ultraviolet light

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

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

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading SOMETHING OF THE PAST At the announcement of the hired girl that their sons had let loose in the farmhouse a thousand mice--more or less--the three Rover brothers looked at each other enquiringly.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

male cat

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

the upper part of anything

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading To the readers of the former volumes in these two "Rover Boys Series," Dick, Tom and Sam Rover will need no special introduction.

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

From this reading "If I find Andy and Randy have been up to another trick right on top of this water-hose nonsense, I'll give them a tanning they won't forget in a hurry," added Tom Rover; and then he and Sam followed Dick up the back porch and into the kitchen.