Chapter XXI · The Unsolved Riddle

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

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

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

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

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

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

a youthful male person

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

a race between candidates for elective office

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

plural of “campaign” — a race between candidates for elective office

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

argue with one another

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

plural of “debate” — a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

set up or found

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

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

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

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

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

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

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

characterized by enmity or ill will

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

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

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

(anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

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

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

the activity of leading

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

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

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

having or revealing supreme mastery or skill

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

the termination of a ruler or institution (especially by force)

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

someone whose occupation is preaching the gospel

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

with low volume

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

a member of the Republican Party

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

characteristic of rural life

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

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

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

plural of “speaker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

make square

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

be standing; be upright

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

showing a brooding ill humor

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

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

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

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

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

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

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Under this tree the speakers’ stand had always been built for joint debates in political campaigns.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading GASTON found the Preacher quietly smoking, seated on the rustic under a giant oak that stood in the corner of the square.

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

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

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

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

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

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

at the time that

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

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

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.

which person or people

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And then he recalled with flashes of memory vivid as lightning, the miracle that had followed.

but in spite of that

From this reading Settle, who was a man of masterful personality, eloquent, and in dead earnest in his appeal for a new South, had made a speech of great power to a crowd that were hostile to every idea for which he stood; and yet he dazzled or stunned them into sullen silence.

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

From this reading Here, when a boy he had heard the great debate between Zebulon B. Vance and Judge Thomas Settle in the fierce campaign which followed the overthrow of Le-gree when the Republican party, under the leadership of Judge Settle made its desperate effort for life.