Chapter VIII

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

meat that is salted and cut into strips and dried in the sun

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

a young person of either sex

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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 In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

move away from a place into another direction

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

firmly closed or secured

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

a farewell remark

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

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

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

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

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

(Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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 Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

engage in

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

a durable cotton fabric with a velvety nap

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

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

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

treated with oil

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

and nothing more

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

compacted by ironing

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

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

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

put a saddle on

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

cut with a saw

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

without speaking

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

inflected form of “strap” — tie with a strap

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

dried naturally by the sun

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

a profession of belief

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

bound or secured closely

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

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 Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

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

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

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

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Long before sun-up, faithful Mutla had had the three ponies up-saddled and waiting under the orchard trees.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

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

From this reading Petrus had hurriedly pressed a Testament into the pocket of his moleskin trousers, and made sure that the two Mausers they were carrying were well oiled.

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

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.

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

From this reading He had strapped a small roll containing a pair of blankets and a rain-coat to the front of his master's saddle, and to that of the lead-horse he had tied a large piece of biltong, or sun-dried meat, a good supply of biscuit and coffee, and fastened an iron kettle in which to make it.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading A STORM ON THE DRAKENSBERG Only low-growling Hector and little Theunis, looking down from his bedroom window, saw them silently depart.

showing curiosity

From this reading In the cold gray dawn-light Petrus waved a quick "good-by" up to the wondering child and they were off.