Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading A. D. B. S. H.

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

(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 Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

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

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

move towards

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

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

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading A. D. B. S. H.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

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

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

marked by continuous change or effective action

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading A. D. B. S. H.

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

inflected form of “dip” — immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

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

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For this was a storm--a sand-storm of the Southwest.

-ing form of “force” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading A. D. B. S. H.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

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

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

not any; not one

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

the middle of the day

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

forward in time or order or degree

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

above and across; more than

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

a light shade of red

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

third-person singular of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

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

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading A. D. B. S. H.

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

From this reading For this was a storm--a sand-storm of the Southwest.

from appearances alone

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees

From this reading For this was a storm--a sand-storm of the Southwest.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

not in physical motion

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

the rays of the sun

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

-ing form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

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

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

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

From this reading For this was a storm--a sand-storm of the Southwest.

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

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

up to a particular time

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

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

From this reading It was high noon in the desert, but there was no dazzling sunlight.

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

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Then the wind came--a breeze rising as it were from the hot earth--forcing the Spanish dagger to dipping acknowledgment, sending dust-devils swirling across the slow curves of the desert--and then the storm burst in all its might.

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

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.

but in spite of that

From this reading Over the earth hung a twilight, a yellow-pink softness that flushed across the sky like the approach of a shadow, covering everything yet concealing nothing, creeping steadily onward, yet seemingly still, until, pressing low over the earth, it took on changing color, from pink to gray, from gray to black--gloom that precedes tropical showers.