Chapter X

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

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

point of contact between two objects or parts

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

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

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

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

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

plural of “attitude” — a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

the wood from bushes or small branches

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

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

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading "Captain's late," one of the men in the foreground said.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

the part of a scene that is near the viewer

From this reading "Captain's late," one of the men in the foreground said.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

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

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

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

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

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

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

the force of workers available

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

without a moon or a visible moon

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Night.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Captain's late," one of the men in the foreground said.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

above and across; more than

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

plural of “raider” — someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

rebuffed (by a lover) without warning

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Captain's late," one of the men in the foreground said.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

protected from danger or bad weather

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

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

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

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

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

moving very fast

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

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

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

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

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

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

From this reading The dark forms of a group of men were brought out in sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small brushwood fire built in a sheltered spot among the hills.

at the time that

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A few faint stars dotted the moonless sky, and the night air was raw with the frosty breath of late October.

a late time of life

From this reading Some of the men were sitting about on scattered blocks of rejected stone, left in the abandoned quarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near by, but the great number of raiders stood in careless attitudes around the fire, talking or smoking.