Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

later than; following

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

in addition

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

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

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

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

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

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

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

placed in a grave

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

white or light-colored crested parrot of the Australian region; often kept as cage birds

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

plural of “convention” — a large formal assembly

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

past form of “embalm” — preserve a dead body

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

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

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

an act that fails

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

past form of “gash” — cut open

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

United States illustrator remembered for his creation of the “Gibson girl” (1867-1944)

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

possessive form of “gibson” — United States illustrator remembered for his creation of the “Gibson girl” (1867-1944)

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

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

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

any of various juicy fruit of the genus Vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

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

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

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

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

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

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

past form of “mourn” — feel sadness

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

of an obscure nature

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

fine white clay used in making tobacco pipes and pottery and in whitening leather

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

set down as a rule or guide

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

third-person singular of “regain” — get or find back; recover the use of

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

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

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

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

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

up to a particular time

From this reading She also mourned and howled for the prescribed three days, and gashed her head with stone knives, until the blood poured down her face.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading Lost in the desert--Gibson's dying advice--Giles meets Gibson--A fountain in the desert--A terrible fix--Giles regains his camp--Gibson's effects--Mysterious tracks--A treasured possession--A perfect paradise--Grape vines a failure--A trained cockatoo--An extraordinary festival--My theory of the "ghosts."

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

From this reading Gibson's body was not buried in the earth, but embalmed with clay and leaves, and laid on a rock-shelf in a cave.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading After the funeral his wife followed out the usual native conventions.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She covered herself with pipeclay for about one month.