Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading Which meant an amusing adventure.

anew

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading Which meant an amusing adventure.

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

From this reading Which meant an amusing adventure.

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

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

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

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

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

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

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

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

inflected form of “corral” — enclose in a corral

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

freed from illness or injury

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

plural of “curiosity” — a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

a female human offspring

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

a social unit living together

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

set up or found

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

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

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

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

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

possessive form of “hals” — Dutch portrait and genre painter who endowed his portraits with vitality and humor (1580?-1666)

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

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

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

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

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

a vast multitude

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

not in action or at work

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

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

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

incapable of being resisted

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading Which meant an amusing adventure.

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

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

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

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

coated with paint

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

plural of “pet” — a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

uttered with a trill

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

an educational institution

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

being a smooth continuous motion

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

possessive form of “somebody” — a human being

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

not in physical motion

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

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

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

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

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

in the direction of

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.

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

From this reading The delight of Hal’s pets at seeing the sunlight was irresistibly comic.

clean with some chemical process

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

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

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

at the time that

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

in or at the place that

From this reading They could not be kept from lying down and rolling on their backs in the cinder-strewn street; and when they were corralled in a distant part of the camp where actual grass grew, they abandoned themselves to rapture like a horde of school children at a picnic.

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

From this reading Which meant an amusing adventure.

which person or people

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading As he was sliding down again, toward evening, a vivid spot of colour was painted into his picture of mine-life; he found himself in somebody’s back yard, and being observed by somebody’s daughter, who was taking in the family wash.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading So Hal had a few free hours; and being still young and not cured of idle curiosities, he climbed the canyon wall to see the mountains.