Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

comparative of “broad” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

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

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

slightly wet

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

to an exceptional degree

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

-ing form of “exchange” — give to, and receive from, one another

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

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

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

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

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

crowded or massed together

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

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

From this reading THE MAN IN THE VERANDAH.

situated away from an area's coast or border

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

set down according to a plan

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

provided with artificial light

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

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

From this reading THE MAN IN THE VERANDAH.

female equine animal

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

by chance

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

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

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

above and across; more than

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

a person who travels by foot

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

possessive form of “rogers” — United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

with no problems or difficulties

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

plural of “spring” — the season of growth

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

having the sticky properties of an adhesive

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

a step in walking or running

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

past form of “swerve” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

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

From this reading THE MAN IN THE VERANDAH.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

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

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

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

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

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

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

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

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading THE MAN IN THE VERANDAH.

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

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

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

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

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

From this reading The mare settled down to a beautiful stride and we spun along smoothly over a road which, for a coast road, must have been well laid, or Mr. Rogers's tilbury was hung on exceptionally good springs.

during the time that

From this reading Here Mr. Rogers eased down the mare and handed me the reins, bidding me hold them while he lit a cigar.

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

From this reading We were travelling inland, for the wind blew in our faces, and I huddled myself up from it in the rug--on which a dew had fallen, making it damp and sticky.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading For two miles or so we must have held on at this pace without exchanging a word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian in all that distance, nor passing any; and so came to a sign-post and swerved by it into a broader road, which ran level for maybe half a mile and then began to climb.