Chapter XXII

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

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

moving forward

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

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

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

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

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Then the blackness itself, pierced here and there by lightning.

plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

become dark or darker

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

in a stupid manner

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

United States tennis player who won women's singles titles in the United States and at Wimbledon (born in 1954)

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading Then the blackness itself, pierced here and there by lightning.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

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

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Then the blackness itself, pierced here and there by lightning.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

immediately past

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

From this reading Then the blackness itself, pierced here and there by lightning.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

horrible in fierceness or savagery

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a period of time spent sleeping

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a straight line at right angles to another line

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

having a hole cut through

From this reading Then the blackness itself, pierced here and there by lightning.

compacted by ironing

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

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

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

Identical; not different.

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

with low volume

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

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

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the blackness itself, pierced here and there by lightning.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Then the blackness itself, pierced here and there by lightning.

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

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading It had begun to darken the north-western sky before sunset; rising higher and higher, at length it had come sweeping down the broad stream.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

untroubled by interference or disturbance

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

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 Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

at the time that

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

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

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

during the time that

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.

a Caucasian

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading First the broken lurid edge (like little puffs of white smoke) of the blackness that followed behind; and that was the wind.

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

From this reading That same evening Evert Winthrop was watching the storm on the St. John's River.

but in spite of that

From this reading Then, last, in perpendicular columns extending from the sky to the smooth water below (water that had been pressed flat by wind that had gone on before), the rain falling straight downward densely and softly; the line across the river made by the advancing drops on one side and the smooth water which they had not yet reached on the other, was as distinct as one made across a piece of velvet when one half of its nap has been turned sharply back, while the other remains undisturbed.