Chapter XI

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

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

anew

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

(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 The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

react verbally

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

a projectile that is fired from a gun

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

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

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

place under suspicion or cast doubt upon

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

someone who is a detective

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

let fall to the ground

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

moving toward the east

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

an old word for “before”

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

divisible by two

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

deep ditch cut by running water (especially after a prolonged downpour)

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

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

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

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

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

moving with great haste

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

stocky coarse-furred burrowing rodent with a short bushy tail found throughout the northern hemisphere; hibernates in winter

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

the middle of the day

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

superlative of “narrow” — not wide

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

-ing form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

on one occasion

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

precisely, exactly

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

possessive form of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

try to get or reach

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

having a supporting base

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

a special situation

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

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

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Once again the marmot's cry arose, this time comparatively close at hand.

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

From this reading To answer it was the result of a second's thought, and the silence which ensued convinced Dick that he had done the right thing.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

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

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

at the time that

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

in or at the place that

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

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

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.

the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

make a soft swishing sound

From this reading A second afterwards the whizz of a bullet, followed by the distant crack of a rifle, made him drop in his tracks and seek the shelter of a neighbouring boulder.

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

From this reading He was standing at an open turn, surprised at the warmth of the wind that came hurrying down the gully, when the low whistling cry of the marmot rang through the valley and died away among the rocks.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sun had set ere Dick reached the narrowest part of the defile where, even at midday, the shadows lay dark; and now, with the clouds which had been creeping up from the eastward all the afternoon obscuring the moon, it looked grim and threatening.