Chapter XXI

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

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

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

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

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

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

for the reason that

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

reveal unintentionally

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

to a great extent or degree

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

move away from a place into another direction

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

divisible by two

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading IN THE HANDS OF THE RUSTLERS.

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

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

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

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading IN THE HANDS OF THE RUSTLERS.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

a point or extent in space

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

the force of workers available

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

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

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE HANDS OF THE RUSTLERS.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

plural of “outsider” — someone who is excluded from or is not a member of a group

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

plural of “rustler” — someone who steals livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading IN THE HANDS OF THE RUSTLERS.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

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

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading IN THE HANDS OF THE RUSTLERS.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

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

From this reading As the night came on the spirits of the three scouts seemed to sink considerably.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.

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

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

which person or people

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Somehow the passing of the sun and coming of darkness before the rising of the moon brought with it a new sense of being at the mercy of these rough men, who snapped their fingers at the law, and did about as they pleased.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Ned at first wondered why they had been brought here to the camp, the location of which had long been a mystery to outsiders.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He even feared that circumstance meant something terrible to himself and two chums, because now that they held the secret of the hide-out of the rustlers, it did not seem likely they would be allowed to depart, even if they swore never to betray the fugitives from justice.