Chapter XXV

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

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

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

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

someone who is a detective

From this reading What had happened to Dick?

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading HOW WAS IT DONE?

genus of tropical African herbs or subshrubs with usually blue flowers

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

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

From this reading What had happened to Dick?

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading What had happened to Dick?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is possible he might have overtaken her had he tried.

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

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It is possible he might have overtaken her had he tried.

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

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

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

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

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

From this reading HOW WAS IT DONE?

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

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

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

From this reading It is possible he might have overtaken her had he tried.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HOW WAS IT DONE?

past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

move in loops

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It is possible he might have overtaken her had he tried.

not any; not one

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

above and across; more than

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading It is possible he might have overtaken her had he tried.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading It is possible he might have overtaken her had he tried.

any competition

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

put a saddle on

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

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

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to keep the lead in the race through the chaparral.

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

From this reading What had happened to Dick?

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading It is possible he might have overtaken her had he tried.

the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

without preparation; not prepared for

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

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

From this reading HOW WAS IT DONE?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What had happened to Dick?

at the time that

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

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

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.

moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion

From this reading He had no thought of danger, and he was wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and jerked him like a flash from the saddle.