Chapter XI · The Hawkes Family

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

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

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

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

for the reason that

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

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

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

a performer who dances professionally

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

remove the dust from

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

a provocative Spanish courtship dance in triple time; performed by a man and a woman playing castanets

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

more quickly

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

subject to guidance or control especially after launching

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

a stringed instrument usually having six strings; played by strumming or plucking

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

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

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

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

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

having a series of high-pitched ringing sounds like many small bells

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

plural of “maze” — complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

a native or inhabitant of Mexico

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

a city in northeastern France in Lorraine

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

and nothing more

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

on the contrary

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

plural of “spur” — a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

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

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The hot, crowded room, the dust raised by the shuffling of many feet on the floor and the strange company rather bewildered them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

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

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

a ballroom dance in duple meter; marked by sliding steps

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading But there was to be further entertainment before they might be allowed to stroll out under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

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

From this reading Only Nancy had really enjoyed the experience, because Jim was an excellent dancer; and he had guided her carefully through the mazes of the jigging two-step.

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

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading A Mexican cowboy with a broad crimson sash around his waist, a border of bright-colored fringe edging the side of his trousers and jingling spurs on his high-heeled boots, danced a wild fandango to a Spanish tune with a throbbing accompaniment on the guitar, which seemed to grow faster and faster as he struck his heels on the floor.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Breathless and flushed with exercise the other girls now dropped into their seats.