Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

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

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

later than; following

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

(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 It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

any thing at all

From this reading Did anything in this world _happen_, he wondered?

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

for the reason that

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

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

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

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

From this reading Did anything in this world _happen_, he wondered?

a college or university building containing living quarters for students

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

destroyed or killed

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

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

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

come to pass

From this reading Did anything in this world _happen_, he wondered?

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

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

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

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

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

carry out

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

a message transmitted by telegraph

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

express in words

From this reading He could not tell why he had held out his hand and offered to take the message.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

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

From this reading Did anything in this world _happen_, he wondered?

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

hard to endure

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

up to a particular time

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

at the time that

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

which person or people

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

(used as complement) to the utmost degree

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

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

From this reading It was a great source of question with Courtland afterward, just why it should have been he that happened to carry that telegram over to the West Dormitory to Wittemore, instead of any one of a dozen other fellows who were in the office when it arrived and might just as well have gone.

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Did anything in this world _happen_, he wondered?

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He worked night and day, plunged in a maze of things he did not quite understand until long after the rest of the class had passed them.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Did anything in this world _happen_, he wondered?

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading It was not because he was not trying hard, and studying for all he was worth, that "Witless Abner," as Wittemore had come to be called, had won his nickname.