Chapter XXIV · A Trek Homeward

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

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

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

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

constricted in size

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

someone who is a detective

From this reading It was Dick Kent—and he was smiling.

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

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

plural of “driver” — the operator of a motor vehicle

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

with resolute determination

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

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

From this reading It was Dick Kent—and he was smiling.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

the act of retaining something

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

with impatience; in an impatient manner

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

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

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans

From this reading It was Dick Kent—and he was smiling.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

in the near future

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

plural of “sack” — a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading It was Dick Kent—and he was smiling.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

not in physical motion

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

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

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

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

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

create by training and teaching

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

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

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading A dog train waited outside the Keechewan Mission.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

(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 It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

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

From this reading Brake-boards were passed firmly into the snow, the feet holding them in place becoming cramped as the moments passed and still the leader did not appear.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

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

From this reading It was a long train—ten teams of malemutes and huskies—an impatient train, too, for not only the dogs but the drivers as well, waited impatiently for the word of command that would set it in motion.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Presently a door creaked open and a tall young man, laden with two heavy mail sacks, emerged to the street.