Chapter VIII · The Back Trail Among the Aymaras

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in English-speaking countries

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

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

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

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

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

small donkey used as a pack animal

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

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

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

the act of converging (coming closer)

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

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

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

a fortified defensive structure

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

in a willing manner

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

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

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

past form of “halt” — cause to stop

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

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

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

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

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

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

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

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

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

of or incorporating mud bricks

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

-ing form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

on one occasion

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

above and across; more than

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

a relatively flat highland

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

with speed

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

put a saddle on

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

tending to entice into a desired action or state

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

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

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

in or at or to some place

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

a very small spot

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

the season of growth

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

inflected form of “strap” — tie with a strap

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

confined on all sides

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

in or at that place or location

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

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

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

very small

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

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

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

dangerously unstable and unpredictable

From this reading Five minutes later I halted and gladly put it on once more, for the thin air was treacherous in its allurements.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

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 The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

having been warmed up

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

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

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

edge of a way or road or path

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Somewhere about the middle of the day we halted for breakfast at Cocuta, a native _tambo_ or wayside inn, though the pack-train pushed on slowly, nibbling the bunch-grass as it went.

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

From this reading The tambo was surrounded by a high, thick mud-brick wall that inclosed something over an acre of ground, and inside this fortress were the little mud buildings, granaries, and corrals.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At first the plateau was dotted with the lines of converging burro- and llama-trains, but, as the morning passed, there was nothing but the lonely distance of the plateau, with here and there a tiny speck of a solitary pack-train.

a fabric made from the hair of sheep

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading The air had warmed rapidly under the sun; the light breeze had the touch of a northern spring, and I yielded to the seductive suggestion and strapped my heavy woolen coat to the saddle.