Chapter V

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading "AND WHERE IS ORISTOWN?"

any thing at all

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading I inquired, taking a stool and scrutinizing the bill of fare.

plural of “bluff” — a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

a railroad employee responsible for a train's brakes

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a member of the Siouan people of the northern Mississippi valley; commonly called the Sioux

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

the boundary of a surface

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

an agenda of things to do

From this reading I inquired, taking a stool and scrutinizing the bill of fare.

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

the act of departing

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

ten 10s

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading I inquired, taking a stool and scrutinizing the bill of fare.

a member of the Siouan people formerly living in Iowa and Minnesota and Missouri

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading "AND WHERE IS ORISTOWN?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

the northwestern region of the United States

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I inquired, taking a stool and scrutinizing the bill of fare.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading "AND WHERE IS ORISTOWN?"

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a district that is reserved for particular purpose

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a building where people go to eat

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

-ing form of “scrutinize” — to look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail

From this reading I inquired, taking a stool and scrutinizing the bill of fare.

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a simple seat without a back or arms

From this reading I inquired, taking a stool and scrutinizing the bill of fare.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading I inquired, taking a stool and scrutinizing the bill of fare.

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

plural of “waiter” — a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

at the time that

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."

in or at the place that

From this reading "AND WHERE IS ORISTOWN?"

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

From this reading "Oristown," the white man spoke up, drawing away at a pipe which gave him the appearance of being anything from a rover to a freight brakeman, "is about two hundred and fifty miles northwest of here in southern South Dakota, on the edge of the Little Crow Reservation, to be opened this summer."

a Caucasian

From this reading THE TOWN ON THE MISSOURI It came a few days later in a restaurant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when I heard the waiters, one white man and the other colored, saying, "I'm going to Oristown."