Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

concurrence of opinion

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

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

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

past form of “blink” — briefly shut the eyes

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

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 RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

accept an excuse for

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

plural of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

assemble or get together

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

possessive form of “graham” — United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

immediately past

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

weight to be borne or conveyed

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

information about recent and important events

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

plural of “obligation” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

not divisible by two

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

and nothing more

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

relatively far from a center or middle

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

above and across; more than

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

a stock or supply of foods

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

the acquisition of something for payment

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

with speed

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

problem solving that involves numbers or quantities

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

full of ruts

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

plural of “saturday” — the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

functioning in a supporting capacity

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

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

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

at the time that

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

but in spite of that

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.