Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

a covered passageway with shops and stalls on either side

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

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

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

protected with battlements or parapets with indentations or embrasures for shooting through

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading In spite of the ruinous patio, the presidio was the finest building in the town.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

an act of copying

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

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

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

dominance or power through legal authority

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading In spite of the ruinous patio, the presidio was the finest building in the town.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

covered with water

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

plural of “founder” — inflammation of the laminated tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot of a horse

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

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

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

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

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

a case for containing a set of articles

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

plural of “model” — a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

a style of architecture common in Spain from the 13th to 16th centuries; characterized by horseshoe-shaped arches

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

plural of “moor” — one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

a large mass of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

a fortress established in the southwestern United States by the Spanish in order to protect their missions and other holdings

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

an antiquity that has survived from the distant past

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin

From this reading In spite of the ruinous patio, the presidio was the finest building in the town.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

small cold-water silvery fish; migrate between salt and fresh water

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading In spite of the ruinous patio, the presidio was the finest building in the town.

(of a fluid) having been propelled about in flying drops or masses

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

impressive in appearance

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

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

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

the rays of the sun

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

the upper part of anything

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading In spite of the ruinous patio, the presidio was the finest building in the town.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In the middle of the dirty patio a fountain splashed in a broken marble basin, and it was dim, and by contrast cool, under the arcade where Kit sat among the crumbling pillars.

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

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

(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 presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE PRESIDIO Dazzling sunshine flooded the belt of sand where the shadows of dusty palmettos quivered beyond the Moorish arch; the old presidio smelt like a brick-kiln and the heat outside was nearly intolerable.

a Caucasian

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading A part had fallen and blocks of sun-baked mud lay about in piles, but the long, white front, with its battlemented top and narrow, barred windows stood firm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The presidio was a relic of Spanish dominion and its founders had built it well, copying, with such materials as they could get, stately models the Moors had left in the distant Peninsula.