used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
(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 five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Mr. Fordham had not returned and there was nobody for the two boys to confer with.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
Chet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
Chet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
conciselyadverbUS /kənˈsaɪsli/
in a concise manner; in a few words
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
conferverbUS /kənˈfɜːr/
have a conference in order to talk something over
From this reading Mr. Fordham had not returned and there was nobody for the two boys to confer with.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
entombedverbUS /enˈtuːmd/
past form of “entomb” — place in a grave or tomb
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
Fordham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fordham had not returned and there was nobody for the two boys to confer with.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
HavensnounUS /ˈheɪvənz/
plural of “haven” — a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
joined in matrimony
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
the force of workers available
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Fordham had not returned and there was nobody for the two boys to confer with.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Mr. Fordham had not returned and there was nobody for the two boys to confer with.
noisiestadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪziəst/
superlative of “noisy” — full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
a full supply
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
free from harm or evil
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Mr. Fordham had not returned and there was nobody for the two boys to confer with.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
express in words
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/
make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
having a supporting base
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
SueverbUS /suː/
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
carry out
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
two-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rough men standing about tried to comfort them; but there was not much of a comforting nature to say.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
wivesnounUS /waɪvz/
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The five men shut in the mine with Chet’s father were all married and their wives and children made the noisiest group of all at the mouth of the Silent Sue mine.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There were plenty of men for the work of rescue; indeed, there were so many in each two-hour shift that they got in each other’s way.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Chet Havens had put the situation concisely and to the point: It would take more than a week to dig down to the opening of Number Two tunnel; meanwhile, how would the entombed miners live without food or water?
