Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

Having no one else present.

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

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

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

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

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

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

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

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

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

plural of “coyote” — small wolf native to western North America

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

a squeaking sound

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

the first light of day

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

the state of being decayed or destroyed

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

divisible by two

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

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

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

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

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

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

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

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

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

plural of “hold” — the act of grasping

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

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

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

a state of separation between persons or groups

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

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

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

of an obscure nature

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

absolutely essential

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

a person who owns or operates a ranch

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

responsive to physical stimuli

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

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

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

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

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

up to a particular time

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

precisely as stated

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.

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

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

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

From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.

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

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

at the time that

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

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

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.

but in spite of that

From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.