Chapter XVI · The Joke That Failed

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

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

anew

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

feeling or expressive of gratitude

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

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

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

plural of “campfire” — a small outdoor fire for warmth or cooking (as at a camp)

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

biting and grinding food in your mouth so it becomes soft enough to swallow

From this reading There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.

past form of “clash” — crash together with violent impact

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

small wolf native to western North America

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

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

From this reading There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A large part of the herd was lying down.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

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

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

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

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

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

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

inflected form of “lap” — lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

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

From this reading A large part of the herd was lying down.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading A large part of the herd was lying down.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.

the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

expressing sorrow

From this reading At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

on one occasion

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading A large part of the herd was lying down.

the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

make steady

From this reading There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.

direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

in a softened tone

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

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

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

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

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.

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

From this reading The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd lay.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was the uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.