Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

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

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

make a crackling sound

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

an opposing military force

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

divisible by two

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it

From this reading Their goal was vague.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

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

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

a confused multitude of things

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

and nothing more

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

lacking natural ease

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

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

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

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

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

in motion

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

not any; not one

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

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

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

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

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

and nothing more

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

plural of “ravine” — a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

-ing form of “separate” — act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

spaced apart

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

not dense

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

the light of the stars

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

express in words

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

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

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their goal was vague.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

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

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

branch out in a twiglike manner

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Breathing only through open mouths, for greater stillness, taking care to crackle no twig nor even slide loose sand, they labored on, under the pale-hazed starlight.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading ANGELS OF DEATH In utter silence, moving only a foot at a time, the trio of man-hunters advanced.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading Their goal was vague.

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

From this reading Their goal was vague.

in or at the place that

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.

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

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

gather or contract into wrinkles or folds; pucker

From this reading They spaced themselves out, dragged themselves forward one at a time, took advantage of every slightest depression, every wrinkle in the sandy desert-floor, every mummy-like acacia and withered tamarisk-bush, some sparse growth of which began to mingle with the halfa-grass as they passed from the coast-dunes to the desert itself.

but in spite of that

From this reading Just where they should come upon the Beni Harb, in that confused jumble of dunes and _nullahs_ (ravines) they could not tell; nor yet did they know the exact distance separating the Legion's trenches from the enemy.