Chapter XI

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

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

later than; following

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

plural of “banner” — long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

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

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

offering little or no hope

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

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

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

remove the dust from

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

not accessible to view

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

a long loud emotional utterance

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

in a mournful manner

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

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

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

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

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

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

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

done under pressure

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

past form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

produce buds, branches, or germinate

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

resembling steel as in hardness

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

an unbroken period of time during which you do something

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

possessing sweep

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But alas for Hidden Water and the army of sheep!--in this barren Winter the torrential rains did not fall, the grass did not sprout, and the flowers did not bloom.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

relating to or resulting from the action of a torrent

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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 JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

at the time that

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

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

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

during the time that

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading Then the mighty south--the rain--wind that blows up out of Papagueria, rose up, big with promise, and whirled its dust clouds a thousand feet high against the horizon.

belonging to which person

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.

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

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A bleak north wind came down from the mountains, cold and dry and crackling with electricity, and when it had blown its stint it died down in a freezing, dusty silence.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading JUMPED Winter, the wonted season of torrential rains, six weeks' grass, and budding flowers, when the desert is green and the sky washed clean and blue, followed close in the wake of the sheep, which went drifting past Hidden Water like an army without banners.

the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat

From this reading But, after much labor, the keen, steely, north wind rushed suddenly down upon the black clouds, from whose edges the first spatter of rain had already spilled, and swept them from the horizon, howling mournfully the while and wrestling with the gaunt trees at night.