Chapter V

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

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

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

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

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

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

move towards

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

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

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

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

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

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

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

an opposing military force

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

presently existing

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

-ing form of “fatigue” — lose interest or become bored with something or somebody

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

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

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

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

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

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

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

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

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

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

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

a region in central Italy

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

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

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

by chance

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

force or drive back

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

a male human offspring

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

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

From this reading THE STRANGE WOMAN.

past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way

From this reading The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive the approach of an enemy.

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

From this reading THE STRANGE WOMAN.

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

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

being of use or service

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

precisely as stated

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

the process of paying close and continuous attention

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

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

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp.

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

From this reading As we have said, Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from easy in his mind.

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

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading THE STRANGE WOMAN.

but in spite of that

From this reading Although not yet possessed of all the experience required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse it.