Chapter IV

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

(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 Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

subject to appointment

From this reading "Then the new general manager has been appointed?"

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

From this reading "We're in pretty bad shape, aren't we?"

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading "We're in pretty bad shape, aren't we?"

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

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Then the new general manager has been appointed?"

a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

plural of “capitalist” — a conservative advocate of capitalism

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading "Then the new general manager has been appointed?"

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

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading I suggested.

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

From this reading "We're in pretty bad shape, aren't we?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

and nothing more

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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 Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

engage in

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

a group of people who work together

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

above and across; more than

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

measure the depth of something

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading "We're in pretty bad shape, aren't we?"

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

made afraid

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading "We're in pretty bad shape, aren't we?"

a particular situation

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

the act of storing something

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading I suggested.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

up to a particular time

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

a storehouse for goods and merchandise

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

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

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We're in pretty bad shape, aren't we?"

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

From this reading "We're in pretty bad shape, aren't we?"

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

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

equipped with wire or wires especially for electric or telephone service

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Then he told me a little more than Maisie Ann had; how President Dunton had wired to stop all the betterment work on the Short Line until the new general manager could get on the ground; how the local capitalists at the head of the new Citizens' Storage & Warehouse organization were scared plumb out of their shoes and were afraid to make a move; and how the newspapers all over the State were saying that it was just what they had expected--that the railroad was crooked in root and branch, and that a good man couldn't stay with it long enough to get his breath.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading "We couldn't be in worse shape," was the way he put it.