Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

like or containing small sticky lumps

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

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

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading "Well, well, well!" was the greeting McCorquodale launched.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

a small railroad car propelled by hand or by a small motor

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

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

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

within a building

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

past form of “launch” — set up or found

From this reading "Well, well, well!" was the greeting McCorquodale launched.

-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

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

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

come together

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

the force of workers available

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

a particular point in time

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

on one occasion

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

moving to a position on a surface

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

-ing form of “pump” — operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

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

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

cut with a saw

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

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

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

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

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

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

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

create by training and teaching

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

walk (through relatively shallow water)

From this reading MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective McCorquodale an hour before sundown.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

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

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Well, well, well!" was the greeting McCorquodale launched.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

during the time that

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Kendrick happened to be lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner.

a native or resident of Michigan

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading He recognized the detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the run.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading He did not arrive on a train from the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian hunters to go north into the game country.