used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
acquitverbUS /əˈkwɪt/
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
(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 Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
assumptionnounUS /əˈsʌmpʃən/
a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
brutallyadverbUS /ˈbruːtəli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
clannounUS /klæn/
group of people related by blood or marriage
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
disdainverbUS /dɪsˈdeɪn/
look down on with disdain
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
divisible by two
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
opinion or judgment
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
falteringnounUS /ˈfɔːltərɪŋ/
the act of pausing uncertainly
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
glaredverbUS /ɡlerd/
past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
keyedadjectiveUS /kiːd/
fitted with or secured by a key
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
Ku-Klux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
martyrsnounUS /ˈmɑːrtərz/
plural of “martyr” — one who suffers for the sake of principle
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
maskedadjectiveUS /mæskt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
masksnounUS /mæsks/
plural of “mask” — a covering to disguise or conceal the face
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
the force of workers available
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
observantadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvənt/
paying close attention especially to details
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
and nothing more
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
outragenounUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒ/
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
the act of punishing
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
punitiveadjectiveUS /ˈpjuːnətɪv/
inflicting punishment
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
reconstructionnounUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkʃən/
the period after the American Civil War when the southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union; 1865-1877
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
regulationsnounUS /ˌreɡjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “regulation” — an authoritative rule
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
robberynounUS /ˈrɑːbəri/
larceny by threat of violence
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
slitnounUS /slɪt/
a long narrow opening
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
spokesmannounUS /ˈspoʊksmən/
a male spokesperson
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
sporadicadjectiveUS /spərˈædɪk/
recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
stakenounUS /steɪk/
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
survivalnounUS /sərˈvaɪvəl/
a state of surviving; remaining alive
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
in or at that place or location
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
victoriousadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriəs/
having won
From this reading She was keyed to that mood which makes it possible for martyrs to acquit themselves, even at the stake, with a victorious disdain.
vindicateverbUS /ˈvɪndəkeɪt/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For a moment as she turned observant eyes about the walls of the place to which she had been brought, Alexander almost hoped that the astonishing statement of the spokesman was a true one--that in store for her, instead of robbery and possible outrage, lay only the judgment of the punitive clan.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Through this section of the mountains there had never been, since reconstruction days, any survival of the Ku-Klux in a true sense, but now and then, as in all wild and violent countries, sporadic "regulations" occurred in which masked men took a faltering law into their own less faltering hands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So she stood there meeting the eyes that glared at her through the slit masks with a splendid assumption of scorn and defiance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Such punishment might be brutally severe but she could face it in such fashion as would vindicate her claim of playing a man's game in a man's way.
