Chapter V

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

later than; following

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

(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 “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

for the reason that

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading “I certainly hope it does.”

rid of obstructions

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

the act of closing something

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

plural of “conspirator” — a member of a conspiracy

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading “I certainly hope it does.”

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

From this reading “It ought to; we spent time enough on it,” said the stumbling lad.

divisible by two

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading “I certainly hope it does.”

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

From this reading “I certainly hope it does.”

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

a boy or man

From this reading “It ought to; we spent time enough on it,” said the stumbling lad.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “It ought to; we spent time enough on it,” said the stumbling lad.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

precisely, exactly

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It ought to; we spent time enough on it,” said the stumbling lad.

the trait of keeping things secret

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

having the point made sharp

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading “It ought to; we spent time enough on it,” said the stumbling lad.

predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

the money risked on a gamble

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

dependable

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

-ing form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading “It ought to; we spent time enough on it,” said the stumbling lad.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

bound or secured closely

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading With much labor and secrecy the two conspirators had made a lot of sharpened stakes, and tied stout cords to them.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “It ought to; we spent time enough on it,” said the stumbling lad.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “This time it will come off all right,” Spider had assured his crony.

in the company of; together with

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.

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

From this reading OFF FOR WESTFIELD Whether it was because their trick of putting holes in the Smith boys’ boat did not work, or because they wanted to get even with the brothers on general principles was not made clear, but certain it was, that a few days after the closing ball game, Beantoe and Spider made another attempt to perpetrate something on our heroes.