Chapter XXI

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

-ing form of “brandish” — move or swing back and forth

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

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

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

a procession of people traveling on horseback

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

(of hair or feathers) of a golden brown to reddish brown color

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

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

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

nut of any of several trees of the genus Corylus

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

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

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

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

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

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

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

an established custom

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

cause to stop

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

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

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

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

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

look over carefully

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

full of or characterized by joy

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

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 Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

without good reason

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

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

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

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 Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

dignified manner or conduct

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

attach to a support

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

and nothing more

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

in the near future

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

the possibility of future success

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

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

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

restored to a new condition

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

considered individually

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

put a saddle on

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

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

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

resembling or reminiscent of silver

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

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

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

not in physical motion

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

plural of “switch” — control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

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

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

an acknowledgment of appreciation

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

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

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

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

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

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

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

inflected form of “trot” — run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Greeting Mark with a joyous mien, she renewed her thanks for the pleasure in prospect, sprang lightly to her saddle, and the cavalcade started; their respective syces following on foot, brandishing their long brush-like switches used to protect the horses from flies when a halt was made.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

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

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

at the time that

From this reading The Eastern sky was still dim silvery grey when Mark Cheveril dismounted from his fine chestnut cob in front of the Rayner's verandah.

in or at the place that

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

belonging to which person

From this reading Handing his horse to the syce, he turned to the other, a beautiful black Arab which he had secured for Hester, and whose girths and bridles he began carefully to inspect for the second time.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The riders trotted slowly along the wide Mount Road where at this early hour there was little traffic, only a few natives stepping about.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.

a savory sauce of vinegar and soy sauce and spices

From this reading Presently Hester appeared on the verandah steps with a smiling face, wearing her riding habit for the first time since she left Worcestershire.