Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

quickly and without warning

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

(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 To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

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

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

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

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

used of hair; thick and poorly groomed

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

not characterized by emotion

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

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

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

gotten under control

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

thoroughgoing

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

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

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

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

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

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

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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 We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

having hills and crags

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The air grew clear and sharp, and the nights had become downright chilly.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

sweep across or over

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

abundantly filled with especially living things

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

plural of “tier” — a relative position or degree of value in a graded group

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

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

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

not having inhabitants; not lived in

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

not suspected or believed likely

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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

From this reading Around, the hills rose in abrupt slopes, their sweep broken up into great terraces as it were, by tiers of smooth grey cliffs.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

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

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

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

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

a pedestrian who walks from place to place

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

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

From this reading We were approaching the mountainous regions of the north, and the bushy valleys and slopes of the lower country had been left behind.

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

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

a Caucasian

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.

belonging to which person

From this reading To all appearance the country might have been uninhabited, but I knew better: knew that the great clefts which fell abruptly from the track contained teeming kraals, whose presence might easily remain unsuspected by the casual wayfarer: knew, too, that not a mile of our advance but was carefully watched and duly reported.

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

From this reading In the Zululand of those days the passage of a white man's waggons was an event, and that from more than one point of view.