Chapter XII · Cultus Swings a Mean Gun

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

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading Cultus approached the Triangle X cautiously.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact

From this reading Cultus approached the Triangle X cautiously.

-ing form of “circle” — travel around something

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

clothing in general

From this reading There was enough illumination for Cultus to recognise her clothes.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

a system of religious beliefs and rituals

From this reading Cultus approached the Triangle X cautiously.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading There was enough illumination for Cultus to recognise her clothes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

the act of departing

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

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

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading There was enough illumination for Cultus to recognise her clothes.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination

From this reading There was enough illumination for Cultus to recognise her clothes.

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

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

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

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

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

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

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

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

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

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

show approval or appreciation of

From this reading There was enough illumination for Cultus to recognise her clothes.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

-ing form of “sidle” — move unobtrusively or furtively

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

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

From this reading Cultus approached the Triangle X cautiously.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

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

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

in the direction of

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

a three-sided polygon

From this reading Cultus approached the Triangle X cautiously.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

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

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

in or at the place that

From this reading He went around the house, searching for a window where he might overhear what was going on in there.

which person or people

From this reading He moved in close to the house, sidling along in the dark, and almost ran into Jane Kelton, who was leaning against the wall near another half-open window.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading He could see the light through one window, but he did not know the lay of the land; so he dismounted and came on toward the house, circling away from the open window.

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

From this reading Cultus approached the Triangle X cautiously.