Chapter XVI

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

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

later than; following

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

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

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

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

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

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

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

only a very short time before

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

the amount that many barrels might hold

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

rise up as if in waves

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

shining intensely

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

lacking a visible order or organization

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

preventing movement

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

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

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

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

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

completely wanting or lacking

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

the state of being tense and feeling pain

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

a change for the worse

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

remove the dust from

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

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

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

destroyed or killed

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

of white tinged with grey

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

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

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

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

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

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

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

past form of “hobble” — walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

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

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

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

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

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

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

-ing form of “magnify” — increase in size, volume or significance

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

in a northern direction

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

the local environment

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

past form of “picket” — serve as pickets or post pickets

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

having a tendency (to); often used in combination

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

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

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

with low volume

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

past form of “reward” — bestow honor or rewards upon

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

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

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

the season of growth

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

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

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

crush together or collapse

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

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

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

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

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

having come into contact

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

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

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

up to a particular time

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

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

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

a period of sleeplessness

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

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

From this reading In the Sand Creek camp time passed pleasantly enough, but out on the great, upslanting billow of sand north of Sweet Spring, devoid of shelter from the blazing sun and from the reflected glare of the gray-white desert around it, was another matter.

plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading A VIGIL REWARDED The days passed quietly for the two watchers after Johnny had gone back to the Question-Mark, the hours dragging in monotonous succession.

indecision in speech or action

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading The telescope at intervals swung around the shimmering horizon, magnifying the dancing heat waves until the distortion of their wavering, streaming currents at times rendered the view chaotic and baffling.

(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 Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Prone on his stomach lay Hopalong on the northward slope, his face barely level with the crest of the ridge.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Down in the hollow behind him was his horse, picketed and hobbled as well, and at his side on his blanket to keep the cutting sand and clogging dust from barrels and actions lay his rifle and his six-guns, so hot that their metal parts could not be touched without a grimace of discomfort coming to his face.