Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

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

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

show off

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

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

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a person who is in charge

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

having something undesirable neutralized

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

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

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

season with a mixture of spices; typical of Indian cooking

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

the organ of sight

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

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

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

understanding with difficulty

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

containing an unusual amount of grease or oil

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

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

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

for this reason

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

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

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

occurring every hour or payable by the hour

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

of great significance or value

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

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

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

inflected form of “instal” — set up for use

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

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

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

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

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

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 For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

marked by precise accordance with details

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

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

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

used to form the superlative

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

not any; not one

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

according to the clock

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a building designed and equipped to observe astronomical phenomena

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

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

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

and nothing more

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

on the contrary

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

(of animals) officially recorded with or certified by a recognized breed association; especially in a stud book

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

express in words

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

either of two huge coniferous California trees that reach a height of 300 feet; sometimes placed in the Taxodiaceae

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

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

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

someone who insists on something

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.

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

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

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

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

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

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

in the direction of

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

up to a particular time

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

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

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

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

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

make whistling sounds

From this reading It was the only clock of its kind in Sequoia; hence folk set their watches by it, or rather by the whistle on Cardigan's mill.

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

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

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

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

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

From this reading With a sage and prophetic eye fixed upon the face of the clock, and a particularly greasy hand grasping the whistle-cord, Zeb would wait until the clock registered exactly six-fifty-nine and a half--whereupon the seven o'clock whistle would commence blowing, to cease instantly upon the stroke of the hour.

a late time of life

From this reading For many years there had been installed in Cardigan's mill a clock set to United States observatory time and corrected hourly by the telegraph company.

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

From this reading With a due appreciation of the important function of this clock toward his fellow-citizens, old Zeb Curry, the chief engineer and a stickler for being on time, was most meticulous in his whistle-blowing.

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

From this reading It was old Zeb's pride and boast that with a single exception, during the sixteen years the clock had been in service, no man could say that Zeb had been more than a second late or early with his whistle-blowing.