Chapter X

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

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

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

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

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

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

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

past form of “circulate” — become widely known and passed on

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

From this reading Here ten pesos slipped into a complacent palm; there twenty.

a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

(usually followed by “with”) well informed about or knowing thoroughly

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

plural of “denial” — the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

divisible by two

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

set up or found

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

coins made of gold

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

let have

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here ten pesos slipped into a complacent palm; there twenty.

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

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

a message received and understood

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

a search for knowledge

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

immediately past

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

engage in

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

a small spineless globe-shaped cactus; source of mescal buttons

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

a native or inhabitant of Mexico

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

a quantity of no importance

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

people elected or appointed to administer a government

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

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

From this reading Here ten pesos slipped into a complacent palm; there twenty.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

plural of “pearl” — a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

plural of “peso” — the basic unit of money in Uruguay; equal to 100 centesimos

From this reading Here ten pesos slipped into a complacent palm; there twenty.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

on the contrary

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

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

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Here ten pesos slipped into a complacent palm; there twenty.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading Here ten pesos slipped into a complacent palm; there twenty.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

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

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Here ten pesos slipped into a complacent palm; there twenty.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading GOLD AND PEARLS Bim Bagley, on the trail of the information brought by Doc Stooder’s pipe line, found himself against a blank wall the instant he passed through the barrier of the Line into Sonizona.

in a wary manner

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

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

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

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

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

in or at the place that

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

which person or people

From this reading Nor did he even go to the American consul, who, in the usual course of things, would be the last man in Sonizona to hear of the disappearance of an American citizen there.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.

an established custom

From this reading Rather, with Doc Stooder’s counsel, Bim circulated warily among the gambling halls and in the _cantinas_ where the rurales were wont to go for their salt and mescal.

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

From this reading He was too conversant with the ways of Mexican officialdom to make any inquiry in high places, knowing that to do so would be but to jeopardize Grant Hickman, however he might be placed, and win for himself naught but suave denials.