Chapter XIV

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

exhale hard

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

United States frontierswoman and legendary figure of the Wild West noted for her marksmanship (1852-1903)

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

put or send forth

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

United States industrialist who built the first American locomotive; founded Cooper Union in New York City to offer free courses in the arts and sciences (1791-1883)

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

affected with madness or insanity

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “Open the trap,” cried Ben.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading And as he was doing so Ben grasped the landlord.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

past form of “grasp” — hold firmly

From this reading And as he was doing so Ben grasped the landlord.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

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

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

a landowner who leases to others

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

the force of workers available

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

on one occasion

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Open the trap,” cried Ben.

(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

by chance

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And as he was doing so Ben grasped the landlord.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

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

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading “Open the trap,” cried Ben.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading The landlord was struggling to his feet, the blow, perhaps, having been a glancing one.

at the time that

From this reading HOW BEN AND PADDY BURK MADE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE OF DANGER When Ben Cooper heard the two men come plunging up the crazy old stairs, his active brain at once began to cast about for a means of defense.

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

From this reading Though he did not understand why, Paddy instantly did as he was bidden.