Chapter XXXVI

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

uttered without voice

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading “Do you think there is danger?

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do you think there is danger?

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

opinion or judgment

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

with resolute determination

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

the side of military or naval formation

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

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

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

come to pass

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

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 THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

exceedingly bad

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

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

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading “Do you think there is danger?

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

control and direct with or as if by reins

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

put a saddle on

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

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

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

a woman who tells fortunes

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

make a mess of, destroy or ruin

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

make steady

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

a special situation

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “Do you think there is danger?

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

From this reading How horrid to have a thing like this happen and spoil our ride!”

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Sibyl had buttoned her glove, and she now took the rein herself and settled firmly in the saddle.

not having had extensive practice

From this reading To her unpracticed eyes the appearance of the moiling herd was not as threatening as at first.

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

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

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

but in spite of that

From this reading THE RIDE WITH DEATH “So steady and firm, leaning low to the mane, With the heel to the flank and the hand to the rein, Rode we on; Reaching low, breathing loud, as a creviced wind blows; Yet we spoke not a whisper, we breathed not a prayer; There was work to be done, there was death in the air; And the chance was as one to a thousand.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Do you think there is danger?