Chapter I

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

the state of being absent

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

later than; following

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

offering little or no hope

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

third-person singular of “broaden” — make broader

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

of a color similar to that of wood or earth

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

stopped up; clogged up

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

driving or forcing

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

third-person singular of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

housing that someone is living in

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

extremely impressive in strength or excellence

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

an entrance that can be closed by a gate

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

a quick look

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

intense and profound fear

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

a message received and understood

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

immediately past

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

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 Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

the southern part of Scotland that is not mountainous

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

-ing form of “mass” — join together into a mass or collect or form a mass

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

a short novel

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

a course of conduct

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

by chance

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

in the near future

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

on the contrary

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

easily approached

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

determined

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

edge of a way or road or path

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

an open automobile having a front seat and a rumble seat

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

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

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

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

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

inflected form of “spy” — catch sight of

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

marked with or as if with stripes or linear discolorations

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

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

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

in the direction of

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

a just detectable amount

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

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 It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

not known or well known

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

migratory

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

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

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

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

From this reading I did not care to be wandering about these bleak southern Missouri lowlands after dark, for roads were poor and the November cold rather formidable in an open roadster.

at the time that

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

in or at the place that

From this reading Black clouds, too, were massing on the horizon; so I looked about among the long gray and blue shadows that streaked the flat, brownish fields, hoping to glimpse some house where I might get the needed information.

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

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the absence of any nearer dwelling, I resolved to try my luck there; and was glad when the bushes by the roadside revealed the ruin of a carved stone gateway, covered with dry, dead vines and choked with undergrowth which explained why I had not been able to trace the path across the fields in my first distant view.

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

From this reading It was a lonely and deserted country, but at last I spied a roof among a clump of trees near the small river on my right; perhaps a full half-mile from the road, and probably reachable by some path or drive upon which I would presently come.

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

From this reading _A powerful and compelling tale of brooding horror that deepens and broadens to the final catastrophe--an unusual and engrossing novelette by the author of "The Curse of Yig."_ The drive toward Cape Girardeau had been through unfamiliar country; and as the late afternoon light grew golden and half dream-like I realized that I must have directions if I expected to reach the town before night.