Chapter I

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

the time you go to bed

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

very lively and profitable

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

lacking funds

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

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

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

English chemist and physicist who formulated atomic theory and the law of partial pressures; gave the first description of red-green color blindness (1766-1844)

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

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

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

plural of “gari” — cassava with long tuberous edible roots and soft brittle stems; used especially to make cassiri (an intoxicating drink) and tapioca

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

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

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

an upward movement (especially a rhythmical rising and falling)

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

plural of “hopper” — funnel-shaped receptacle; contents pass by gravity into a receptacle below

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

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

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

and nothing more

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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 The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

by chance

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

plural of “roller” — a grounder that rolls along the infield

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

in the near future

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

not in physical motion

From this reading But still Rick said: "I don't care!"

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

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

plural of “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 BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

in the direction of

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

disposed to venture or take risks

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

precisely as stated

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "I don't care!" murmured Rick, but, from the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, one might have said that he did care, and very much, too, about something.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

in or at the place that

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

a Caucasian

From this reading Rick Dalton sat on the sandy beach tossing white stones and bits of shell into the little waves that broke almost at his feet.

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

From this reading BY HOWARD R. GARIS Author of the "Uncle Wiggily Bedtime Stories," etc.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.

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

From this reading The tide was just on the turn; soon it would come in, and the big, booming rollers would drive Rick farther up toward the dunes, where the wind was making a queer, whistling sound as it bent the long spears of saw-edged grass, whipping off venturesome, gray hoppers, that had boldly crawled up, perhaps to get a better view of the heaving ocean.