Chapter IX

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

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

to or in a foreign country

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

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

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

a feeling of craving something

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading By half-past eight the attack has begun.

a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading By half-past eight the attack has begun.

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

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

give encouragement to

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

a disease of cattle and sheep attributed to a dietary deficiency; characterized by anemia and softening of the bones and a slow stiff gait

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

plural of “cricket” — leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

being one more than seven

From this reading By half-past eight the attack has begun.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

plural of “flutter” — the act of moving back and forth

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

moving swiftly

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

feel about uncertainly or blindly

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading By half-past eight the attack has begun.

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

From this reading By half-past eight the attack has begun.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

fasten with a hook

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

plural of “jump” — a sudden and decisive increase

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

staying power

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

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

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

more often or more frequently

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

go across or through

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

third-person singular of “sharpen” — make sharp or sharper

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

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

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading Crickets in sober grey coats, black-banded on the legs, lead the advance; large crickets and small crickets.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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 HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

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

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

showing fear and lack of confidence

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

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

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

plural of “wear” — impairment resulting from long use

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading HOW THE DAYS PASS BY AT SURPRISE Every day of the week, at fall of dark, I grope my way here into my tent at Surprise, light the hurricane lamp, hook it to the beam overhead, find paper and pen, and spur myself to the telling of a page more of this story.

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

From this reading The night wears on; the mosquito sharpens his appetite, and a fringe of the great army of flying things which moves abroad in the dark, flutters, jumps and creeps in at the doorway to the light.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading Sometimes a timid breeze comes through the doorway to cool the rising temper of the night; oftener the tent walls droop on their wooden framework; and neither pipe nor cigarette will bring me cheer.