Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

a soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element; occurs mainly as nuggets in rocks and alluvial deposits; does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine and aqua regia

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading ILLUSTRATIONS FACING PAGE PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR .

a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

money in the form of bills or coins

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

inflected form of “defer” — hold back to a later time

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

to come or go into

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading ILLUSTRATIONS FACING PAGE PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR .

an act that fails

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

a man of refinement

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

(Greek mythology) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading ILLUSTRATIONS FACING PAGE PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR .

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

a numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number

From this reading L'ENVOI INDEX.

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

From this reading L'ENVOI INDEX.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

relating to or accompanying birth

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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 ILLUSTRATIONS FACING PAGE PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR .

fraught with danger

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading ILLUSTRATIONS FACING PAGE PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR .

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

plural of “reminiscence” — a mental impression retained and recalled from the past

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

a boat that can be launched or landed in heavy surf

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

plural of “thunderstorm” — a storm resulting from strong rising air currents; heavy rain or hail along with thunder and lightning

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

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

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading On the road--Heavy rain--Mosquitoes--Natal--Thunderstorms--A terrible night Maritzburg--My cash runs out--A halcyon day--Hospitality--D'Urban--Failure to get work--The Fighting Blacksmith and the eccentric old gentleman Narrow escape of the latter--East London--Experiences in a surfboat--A Perilous venture--I enter the Civil Service--Further reminiscences deferred--Au revoir.