Chapter III

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

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

Having no one else present.

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

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

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

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

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

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

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

plural of “carnivore” — a terrestrial or aquatic flesh-eating mammal

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

-ing form of “distinguish” — mark as different

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

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

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

plural of “footprint” — a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

set up or found

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

powerlessness revealed by an inability to act

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

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

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

cause to move by striking

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

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

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

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

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

(Greek mythology) the husband of Medea and leader of the Argonauts who sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

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 Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

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 As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

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 Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

not any; not one

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

the middle of the day

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

a brief written record

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

reduced to nothingness

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

plural of “pad” — a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

all of the offspring of a given progenitor

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

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

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

reassemble mentally

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

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

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

past form of “survive” — continue to live and avoid dying

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

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

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

transfer to another

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He tried to reconstruct his passage across the clearing to the tree in which he had found safety and by this means he hit upon a trail to follow, although he had no assurance that it was the right trail.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Whatever footprints his party had left had been entirely obliterated by the pads of the carnivores.

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

From this reading Gridley was dismayed to note that many trails entered the clearing; nor could he recognize any distinguishing mark that might suggest the one by which he had come.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The baffling noonday sun shining down upon him seemed to taunt him with his helplessness.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading As he proceeded alone down the lonely trail, realizing that at any instant he might come face to face with some terrible beast of a long dead past, Jason Gridley wondered how the ape-like progenitors of man had survived to transmit any of their characteristics however unpleasant to a posterity.