Chapter II

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

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Well! old Gontran was not in a mood to fash about the passengers.

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

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

strike violently

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

past form of “cap” — lie at the top of

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

move or strike with a noise

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

the operator of a motor vehicle

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

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

From this reading Well! old Gontran was not in a mood to fash about the passengers.

plural of “firearm” — a portable gun

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

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

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading SILVER-LEG "Forward now!

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

brought together in one place

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

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

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

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

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading Well! old Gontran was not in a mood to fash about the passengers.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

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

From this reading SILVER-LEG "Forward now!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

on one occasion

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

and nothing more

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading Well! old Gontran was not in a mood to fash about the passengers.

in an imperative and commanding manner

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

a firearm that is held and fired with one hand

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

someone who rides the near horse of a pair in order to guide the horses pulling a carriage (especially a carriage without a coachman)

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

a shaky motion

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

being in a tense state

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

put a saddle on

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

thrown together in a disorderly fashion

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

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

From this reading SILVER-LEG "Forward now!

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

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

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

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

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

precisely as stated

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

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

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

(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 Well! old Gontran was not in a mood to fash about the passengers.

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

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

which person or people

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading And at foot-pace, mind, to the edge of the wood--or----" The ominous click of a pistol completed the peremptory command.

afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief

From this reading His horses, worried by the noise, the shouting, the click of firearms and the rough handling meted out to them by strange hands in the darkness, were very restive.

but in spite of that

From this reading Old Gontran, the driver, shook his wide shoulders beneath his heavy caped coat and gathered the reins once more in his quivering hands; the door of the coach was closed with a bang; the postilion scrambled into the saddle; only the passenger who had so peremptorily been ordered down from the box-seat beside the driver had not yet climbed back into his place.