Chapter XII

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

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

in addition

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

in an alternating sequence or position

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

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

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

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

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

object formed by a mold

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

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

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

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

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

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

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

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

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

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

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

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

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

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

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

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

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

a particular point in time

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

possessive form of “moon” — the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

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

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

a person who is being chased

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

control and direct with or as if by reins

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

past form of “rein” — control and direct with or as if by reins

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

recurring with measured regularity

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

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

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

put a saddle on

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

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

From this reading It passed, and then in the silence of the night his quick ear caught another sound, also rhythmical, but continuous.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

move hurridly

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

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

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

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

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

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

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

having passed out of existence

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

a city in north central France near Paris; site of the Palace of Versailles that was built by Louis XIV in the 17th century

From this reading As he listened, he heard on the breeze a faint and rhythmical sound; it was the great clock of Versailles striking midnight.

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

From this reading The road was clear, and Rochefort gave free rein to Valmajour.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading For two miles or so he kept at full speed; then he reined in, leaped from the saddle, eased the girths a bit, and stood for a moment gazing backwards along the road, and listening and watching to see if he were pursued.

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

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading A DUEL OF WITS Clouds were drifting across the moon’s face, casting alternately light and shadow on the country; the people, attracted by the fête at the palace, had long vanished.