Chapter IV

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

plural of “alley” — a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

past form of “bang” — strike violently

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

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

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

a feeling of evil to come

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

plural of “can” — airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

remove the dust from

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

apart from; not including

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

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

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

moving swiftly

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

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

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

plural of “gust” — a strong current of air

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

go away from a place

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

plural of “mooring” — a place where a craft can be made fast

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

an atmosphere in which visibility is reduced because of a cloud of some substance

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

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

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

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

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

past form of “pale” — turn pale, as if in fear

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

the act of separating grain from chaff

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

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

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

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

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

past form of “suck” — draw into the mouth by creating a practical vacuum in the mouth

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading Ancient signs creaked and groaned and threatened to leave their moorings, old houses gave up shingles and loose boards, and up the street on the deserted bank building, the fire-doors banged like cannon.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

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

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

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

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

the shape of something rotating rapidly

From this reading Dirt and papers flew before it; tin cans leapt forth from holes and alleys; and sticks and small stones, sucked up in the vortex, joined in on the devil's dance.

emit long loud cries

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

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

From this reading Then the night came on and the streets of Keno were empty, except for the flying dirt.

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

From this reading The gusts of wind began to wail in boding fury and then the storm struck the town.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading THE GHOST-MAN As the sun paled to nothing in the yellow murk of dust, a high cloud of sand overleapt the northern peaks and came sifting down the slopes of Shadow Mountain.