Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

later than; following

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

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

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

an open horse-drawn carriage with four wheels; has a seat attached to a flexible board between the two axles

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

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

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

-ing form of “consist” — originate

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

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

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

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

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

plural of “creek” — a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

past form of “dive” — drop steeply

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

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

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

create by hammering

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

a language spoken in Galicia, an Autonomus Community of Spain

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

the act of departing

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

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

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

someone who settles lawfully on government land with the intent to acquire title to it

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

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

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

immediately past

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

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 MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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 It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

a particular point in time

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

and nothing more

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

above and across; more than

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

having an owner; often used in combination

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

go across or through

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

approval to do something

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

past form of “pilot” — operate an airplane

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

(baseball) playing the position of pitcher on a baseball team

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

on the contrary

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

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

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

to move hurriedly

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

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

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

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

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

up to a particular time

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

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

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

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

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

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

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

at the time that

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

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

From this reading It was long after dark when they reached the ravine of the Night Hawk Creek, through which they must pass before arriving at the Lake.

which person or people

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE MAKING OF A MAN Wakota, consisting of the mud-house of a Galician homesteader who owned a forge and did blacksmithing for the colony in a primitive way, they left behind half an hour before nightfall, with ten miles of bad going still before them.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading During this whole descent Kalman sat clinging to the back and side of the seat, expecting every moment to have the buckboard turn turtle over him, but when they reached the edge of the final pitch, were it not for sheer shame, he would have begged permission to scramble down on hands and knees rather than trust himself to the swaying, pitching vehicle.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading The trail wound through bluffs and around sleughs, dived into coulees and across black creeks, and only the most skilful handling could have piloted the bronchos through.

inflected form of “zigzag” — travel along a zigzag path

From this reading Down the sides of this ravine they zigzagged, dodging trees and boulders till they came to the last sharp pitch, at the foot of which ran the Creek.