Chapter IV · The Footprint Clew

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

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

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

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

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

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

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

for the reason that

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

causing irritation or annoyance

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

of short duration or distance

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

plural of “burro” — small donkey used as a pack animal

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

a festival marked by merrymaking and processions

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

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

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

plural of “crag” — a steep rugged rock or cliff

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

-ing form of “crisscross” — cross in a pattern, often random

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

past form of “devastate” — cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

ludicrously odd

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

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

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

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

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

plural of “glance” — a quick look

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

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

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

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

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

not accessible to view

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

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

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

plural of “hog” — a person regarded as greedy and pig-like

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

defying expression or description

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

and nothing more

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

not in physical motion

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

reduced in size as by squeezing together

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

with neatness

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

any cohesive unit such as a military company

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

plural of “rattlesnake” — pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

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

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

very pleasing to the eye

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

plural of “slit” — a long narrow opening

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

the season of growth

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

very small

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

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

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

(of weapons) not charged with ammunition

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

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

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Because of the view it gave of the fantastic, red-sandstone crags across the valley, Abington had pitched his camp on a smooth hard ledge a few feet above the level with a cliff at his back and a spring of good water hidden away in a tiny cleft in the cañon at his right.

abounding with or resembling weeds

From this reading It was a cool, sightly spot, free from bothersome ant hills or weedy growth that might harbor rattlesnakes or other venomous creatures.

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

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

in or at the place that

From this reading The camp supplies, which had been neatly piled just where he had unloaded them from the two burros that carried his own outfit, were strewn about in indescribable disorder, as if a drove of hogs had held carnival there for an hour or so.

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

From this reading The small brown tent, lying in a tattered heap with slits crisscrossing one another in the balloon silk which was so light to carry--and so costly--received a second scrutiny.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Abington stood absolutely motionless with his head drooped forward, his narrowed eyes surveying with brief, darting glances his devastated camp.