Chapter XII

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

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

a quantity of money

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

any thing at all

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

harass with persistent criticism or carping

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

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

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

a Protestant layman who assists the minister

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

someone who is a detective

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

enclose with a fence

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

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

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

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

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

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

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

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

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

curved down like an eagle's beak

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

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

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

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

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

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

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading “Do you think so, Leslie?” mused the other.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading “Do you think so, Leslie?” mused the other.

above and across; more than

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

possessing material wealth

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

precisely, exactly

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

without speaking

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “Do you think so, Leslie?” mused the other.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “Do you think so, Leslie?” mused the other.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

in the direction of

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

(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 “Well, I’m glad for the sake of little Billy and his mother, for she has a mighty small amount of money to live on, and the deacon is a rich man, you know.”

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

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

in or at the place that

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

during the time that

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

which person or people

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “What do you reckon he’s thinking about while he stands there with his arms on the fence, and his head bowed on them?” asked Leslie, as they were making their way silently toward the street, intending to clamber over the front fence at a point where they could not be seen.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading All you need to do now is to pull the line in and land him.”

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

From this reading THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW BOYS “Shake hands on it, Dick,” said Leslie; “you’ve got the old curmudgeon to swallow the bait all right, and he’s hooked as fast as anything.