Chapter XI

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

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

inform (somebody) of something

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

on, to, or at the top

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment)

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

plural of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

growing close together but not in dense mats

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

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

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

the act of retaining something

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

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

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

past form of “infest” — invade in great numbers

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

a small natural hill

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

hear with intention

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

having many worn or threadbare spots in the nap

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

the force of workers available

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

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

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

the spatial property resulting from a relatively small distance

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

not any; not one

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

not one, and not any

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

above and across; more than

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

a person who is of equal standing with another in a group

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

a fortress established in the southwestern United States by the Spanish in order to protect their missions and other holdings

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

a safe place

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

try to get or reach

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

Spanish missionary who founded Franciscan missions in California (1713-1784)

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

without speaking

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

moving as on a slippery surface

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

having a supporting base

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

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

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading AT THE PRESIDIO Not a light showed in the Indian huts of tide and straw that clustered near the presidio.

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

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

in the direction of

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

up to a particular time

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Standing beside the bole of a palm he looked up at the structure atop the knoll.

organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

clean with some chemical process

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

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

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading Since nightfall they had been slipping away down the coast and back into the hills--the men to hurry to their camps, women and children to seek refuge in the wilderness until the war should be over--exactly as they had done in every uprising since the coming of Serra and his coadjutors.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading From behind the walls came no whisperings of conspiracy, no cries of children in their dreams, no mumblings of women.

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

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Even the mangy curs that generally infested the road were gone, and so there was none to bark and snap at the heels of the caballero as he made his way slowly toward the presidio, walking silently, holding the scabbard of his sword so it would not strike against boot or spur, stopping every few yards to peer into the night, to listen for some sound above the wash of the sea that would apprise him of the nearness of danger.