Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

a cherished desire

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

a quantity of money

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

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

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

the lower side of anything

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

a path over which electrical signals can pass

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

past form of “dump” — throw away as refuse

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

at any time

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

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

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

a long fixed look

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

rock fragments and pebbles

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

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

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

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

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

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

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

not any; not one

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

someone who has entered a religious order but has not taken final vows

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

and nothing more

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

established beyond doubt

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

past form of “refill” — fill something that had previously been emptied

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

relating to or characterized by rotation

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

matter that has been deposited by some natural process

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

in a sluggish manner

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

plural of “spoonful” — as much as a spoon will hold

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

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

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

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

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

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

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

relaxed and leisurely; without hurry or haste

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

up to a particular time

From this reading Several times he refilled the basin, and the amount of sand grew less and less, until there remained only a few spoonfuls of coarse gravel and a sediment that clung to the bottom of the basin and moved sluggishly around and around.

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

From this reading HELP FOR THE COW BUSINESS He had no goldpan of his own, since this was not a mining country, and his ambition had run in a different channel.

a bathroom sink that is permanently installed and connected to a water supply and drainpipe; where you can wash your hands and face

From this reading He, therefore, took the tin washbasin down to the creek and dumped the sand into it.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

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

From this reading His eyes were sharper and more intent in their gaze than Billy Louise had ever seen them, and, though his movements were unhurried, they were full of eagerness held in leash.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Then, squatting on his boot-heels at the edge of the stream, he filled the basin with water and rocked it gently with a rotary motion that proved him no novice at the work.