Chapter X · Caught in the Act

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading As silently as panthers they approached the fence.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

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

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

an external body part that projects from the body

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

enclose with a fence

From this reading As silently as panthers they approached the fence.

plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

an association of criminals

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

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

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

only a very short time before

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

immediately past

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

not any; not one

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

and nothing more

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

under normal conditions

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

plural of “panther” — a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis

From this reading As silently as panthers they approached the fence.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

certainty based on past experience

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

without speaking

From this reading As silently as panthers they approached the fence.

(of meat) full of sinews; especially impossible to chew

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

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

From this reading As silently as panthers they approached the fence.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

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

From this reading As silently as panthers they approached the fence.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

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

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

male cat

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

possessive form of “tom” — male cat

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

the act of using

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.

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

From this reading DESPITE HIS great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps.

(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 But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

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

From this reading Ordinarily his sinewy arms and powerful fists were a sufficient reliance.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading But there was no telling whether he would have to face an individual or a gang, and it was well to be prepared for any emergency.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Tom had slipped a revolver into his pocket as he left the office, as a matter of precaution, though he hardly thought he would have occasion to use it, and would only do so in the last extremity.