Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “What does this mean?” she asked Barosa.

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

From this reading “What does this mean?” she asked Barosa.

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

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading With a cry of horror she dashed between me and the levelled weapons.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading With a cry of horror she dashed between me and the levelled weapons.

having gaps or spaces

From this reading With a cry of horror she dashed between me and the levelled weapons.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

reach, make, or come to a decision about something

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading “What does this mean?” she asked Barosa.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

start firing a weapon

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

cause fear in

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

intense and profound fear

From this reading With a cry of horror she dashed between me and the levelled weapons.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

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

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

inflected form of “level” — aim at

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading “What does this mean?” she asked Barosa.

the force of workers available

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

not any; not one

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

and nothing more

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

the act of refusing

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

done under pressure

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading With a cry of horror she dashed between me and the levelled weapons.

language expressed by visible hand gestures

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But in the pause before he gave the order to fire there was a sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs, and Inez rushed into the room.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

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

From this reading “What does this mean?” she asked Barosa.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading With a cry of horror she dashed between me and the levelled weapons.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

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

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What does this mean?” she asked Barosa.

at the time that

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I think now, it was only pretence from beginning to end; but I believed it was grim earnest then, and that when I answered Barosa’s question with another refusal, I was signing my own death-warrant.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.

the act of creating written works

From this reading MIRALDA’S APPEAL Whether I was really so near death as it appeared when the two pistols were levelled close to my head and the men were waiting for the word to fire, or whether it was no more than a well-played and realistically-staged bluff to frighten me into writing the instructions to Captain Bolton, I have never been able to decide.