Chapter I

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

From this reading Is there a round-up somewhere?"

later than; following

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

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

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading "What's got the boys today?

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

usually; as a rule

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

the act of giving

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "What's got the boys today?

inflected form of “grab” — take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading Is there a round-up somewhere?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action or view or the like

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

a coniferous tree

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

someone who asks a question

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading Is there a round-up somewhere?"

move over something with pressure

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

in or at or to some place

From this reading Is there a round-up somewhere?"

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

in a swift manner

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

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

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Is there a round-up somewhere?"

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

the present time or age

From this reading "What's got the boys today?

characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

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

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

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

From this reading "What's got the boys today?

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Looks that-a way," said Mac, grabbing a soiled cloth with an air of decision, and giving the pine counter a vigorous rub.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Author of "The Wings of the Morning," "One Wonderful Night," etc., etc.

the words that are spoken

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.

but in spite of that

From this reading At best, he was a man of few words, and the few were generally to the point; yet his questioner did not seem to notice the noncommittal nature of the reply, and, after an amused glance at the industrious Mac, quitted the store as swiftly as he had entered it.