Chapter II

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

the state of being absent

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

later than; following

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

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

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

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

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

a native or resident of California

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

the act of encamping and living in tents in a camp

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

clothing in general

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

remove the dust from

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

a period of fourteen consecutive days

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading WE MOVE INTO OUR HOME.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

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

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading WE MOVE INTO OUR HOME.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

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

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

the force of workers available

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading WE MOVE INTO OUR HOME.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now I understood only too well.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

on one occasion

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

and nothing more

From this reading Now I understood only too well.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading WE MOVE INTO OUR HOME.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

very drunk

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

in the near future

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

cooked in hot water

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

not in physical motion

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

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

From this reading The Californian dust is perfectly impossible to deal with in such conditions as the barn afforded, or as would be involved in camping.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Now I understood only too well.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading Now I understood only too well.

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

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading WE MOVE INTO OUR HOME.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Now I understood only too well.

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

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

during the time that

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading While we were still living in our little house in San Miguel, I had seen one or two camping parties returning after an absence of ten days or a fortnight in the mountains, and had wondered, with dismay, what could have happened to the women and men of the party, that they should look as though their persons and clothes had been rolled, and soaked, and stewed in the grey dust.

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

From this reading It was delightful to feel that we would soon be once more in comfortable quarters, with room for order and cleanliness.