Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

From this reading The uncertainty grew, with Rudolph, into an acute distress.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

(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 The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

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

From this reading The uncertainty grew, with Rudolph, into an acute distress.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

the protruding part of the lower jaw

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

psychological suffering

From this reading The uncertainty grew, with Rudolph, into an acute distress.

half asleep

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

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

From this reading The uncertainty grew, with Rudolph, into an acute distress.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

characterized by enmity or ill will

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The uncertainty grew, with Rudolph, into an acute distress.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

past form of “lodge” — be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

the force of workers available

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

naughtily or annoyingly playful

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

not any; not one

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

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

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

on one occasion

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

introduce

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

compacted by ironing

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading The uncertainty grew, with Rudolph, into an acute distress.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

in or at that place or location

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

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

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance

From this reading The uncertainty grew, with Rudolph, into an acute distress.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

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

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

a Caucasian

From this reading LAMP OF HEAVEN The white men peered from among the oil-jars, like two of the Forty Thieves.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The watcher, whether he had seen them or not, was in no hurry; for with chin propped among the weeds, he held a pose at once alert and peaceful, mischievous and leisurely, as though he were master of that hollow, and might lie all night drowsing or waking, as the humor prompted.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They could detect no movement, friendly or hostile: the black head lodged there without stirring.

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

From this reading Wutzler pressed his face against the earth, and shivered in the stifling heat.