Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

moving forward

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

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

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

past form of “allay” — lessen the intensity of or calm

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading "And what will that be?" said Mackenzie anxiously.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

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

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

traveling across

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

divisible by two

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

immediately past

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

Canadian explorer (born in England) who explored the Mackenzie River and who was first to cross North America by land north of Mexico (1764-1820)

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

most important element

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

march in a procession

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

not any; not one

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

and nothing more

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

above and across; more than

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

time during which some action is awaited

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "And what will that be?" said Mackenzie anxiously.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

the season of growth

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

not in physical motion

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

coming after or following

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

plural of “surveyor” — an engineer who determines the boundaries and elevations of land or structures

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "And what will that be?" said Mackenzie anxiously.

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

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

From this reading "Ah, ha!" exclaimed French, "surveyors, no doubt; they have come at last."

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

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

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

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

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

toward the west

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "And what will that be?" said Mackenzie anxiously.

during the time that

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

which person or people

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "And what will that be?" said Mackenzie anxiously.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading It was Mackenzie who brought word of the appearance of the first bona fide scout of the advancing host.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading THE MAIDEN OF THE BROWN HAIR Rumours of the westward march of civilization had floated from time to time up the country from the main line as far as the Crossing, and had penetrated even to the Night Hawk ranch, only to be allayed by succeeding rumours of postponement of the advance for another year.

distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)

From this reading "There was a man with a big flag over the Creek yonder," he announced one spring evening, while the snow was still lying in the hollows, "and another man with a stick or something, and two or three behind him."