Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

causing a dull and steady pain

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

later than; following

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

(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 Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

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

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

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

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

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

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

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

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

indistinct or hazy in outline

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading But elsewhere the river lay golden, solid, and painfully bright.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But elsewhere the river lay golden, solid, and painfully bright.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

with unflagging resolve

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

in or to another place

From this reading But elsewhere the river lay golden, solid, and painfully bright.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

made afraid

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

based on pretense; deceptively pleasing

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading But elsewhere the river lay golden, solid, and painfully bright.

green foliage

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

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

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

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 Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

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

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

impossible to resist; overpowering

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

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

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

plural of “minnow” — very small European freshwater fish common in gravelly streams

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

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

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

plural of “olive” — small ovoid fruit of the European olive tree; important food and source of oil

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

and nothing more

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

unpleasantly

From this reading But elsewhere the river lay golden, solid, and painfully bright.

an excavation that is (usually) filled with water

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

flowing profusely

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

of or resembling rope (or ropes) in being long and strong

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

of the grey-green color of sage leaves

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

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

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

a quick and penetrating intelligence

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

quiet and tranquil

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

plural of “snippet” — a small piece of anything (especially a piece that has been snipped off)

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

refrain from harming

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

inferior in size or quality

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

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

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Things afloat, in the slumberous procession of all Eastern rivers, swam downward imperceptibly, now blurred, now outlined in corrosive sharpness.

very small

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

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

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

of the highest quality

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

in the direction of

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

a vivid mental image

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

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

From this reading THE SPARE MAN Beyond the scant greenery of Heywood's garden--a ropy little banyan, a low rank of glossy whampee leaves, and the dusty sage-green tops of stunted olives--glared the river.

inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading Only close at hand and by an effort of vision, appeared the tiny, quiet lines of the irresistible flood pouring toward the sea; there whipped into the pool of banyan shade black snippets and tails of reflection, darting ceaselessly after each other like a shoal of frightened minnows.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Wide, savage sunlight lay so hot upon it, that to aching eyes the water shone solid, like a broad road of yellow clay.