Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

(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 All I wanted was the start; but how to get it?

in addition

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

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

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

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

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

from appearances alone

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All I wanted was the start; but how to get it?

rid of obstructions

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

having lost your job

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

firmly closed or secured

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

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

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

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

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

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

From this reading All I wanted was the start; but how to get it?

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

incapability of existing or occurring

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

immediately past

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

a particular point in time

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

squeeze tightly between the fingers

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

not any; not one

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

on one occasion

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

the event of something being raised upward

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

with speed

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

control and direct with or as if by reins

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

A place of safety, refuge, or holy retreat within the academy.

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading All I wanted was the start; but how to get it?

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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

From this reading All I wanted was the start; but how to get it?

in or at that place or location

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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

From this reading All I wanted was the start; but how to get it?

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading All I wanted was the start; but how to get it?

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

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading So, though I thought and thought, I could see no way of dividing that rein; the idea of raising it to my teeth being dismissed as an impossibility, as also of Sandho cutting it with his own powerful nip, for I knew the idea of communicating my desire to the horse was absurd.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

in the company of; together with

From this reading If I could at once get fifty yards away, there was apparently clear galloping ground, and distance would at any moment furnish me with a dark hiding-place.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I had my big knife in my pocket; but I might as well have been without it, fastened as I was.

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

From this reading In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.

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 In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear, semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew black.