Chapter XIII · Diplomacy

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

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

a steerable self-propelled aircraft

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

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

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

the Semitic language of the Arabs; spoken in a variety of dialects

From this reading “Peace be with you!” said Sir Mark in Arabic, making a slight inclination.

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

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

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

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

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

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

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

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

at any time

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

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

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

a group of followers or enthusiasts

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

ride at a galloping pace

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

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

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

cause to stop

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

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

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

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

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

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

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

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

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading “Peace be with you!” said Sir Mark in Arabic, making a slight inclination.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading “Peace be with you!” said Sir Mark in Arabic, making a slight inclination.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

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

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

the force of workers available

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

a form of address for a man

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

not one, and not any

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

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

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

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

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading “Peace be with you!” said Sir Mark in Arabic, making a slight inclination.

by chance

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

a relatively flat highland

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

edge tool used in shaving

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

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

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

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

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

remove body hair with a razor

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

term of address for a man

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading “Peace be with you!” said Sir Mark in Arabic, making a slight inclination.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

a city of northern Morocco at the west end of the Strait of Gibraltar

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

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

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

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

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

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

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

past form of “trample” — tread or stomp heavily or roughly

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

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 Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

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

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

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

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

the act of using

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

accept gladly

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

at the time that

From this reading The horsemen came up at a gallop, bringing their horses to a halt when it seemed to Oliphant that he and his companion must be trampled to the ground.

in or at the place that

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading “Probably few in this wild district have ever been in Tangier, where my features are tolerably well known; and having been for some time unable to shave—these followers of the Prophet are forbidden the use of the razor, and Mr. Schwab does not carry one—I look perhaps a little unlike myself.”

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “I hope none of them will recognize me,” said Sir Mark in a low tone to Oliphant.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Before the band of horsemen had approached the edge of the little plateau where the airship lay, the two men stepped forward through the trees at its lower edge and waved to the oncomers with every sign of welcome.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Peace be with you!” said Sir Mark in Arabic, making a slight inclination.