Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

an open horse-drawn carriage with four wheels; has a seat attached to a flexible board between the two axles

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But on the porch of the ranchhouse it was cool.

rid of obstructions

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading But on the porch of the ranchhouse it was cool.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

past form of “disintegrate” — break into parts or components or lose cohesion or unity

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

remove the dust from

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

an expectation

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

opinion or judgment

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

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

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But on the porch of the ranchhouse it was cool.

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

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

immediately past

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

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

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

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 When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

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

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ruth was not cool.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But on the porch of the ranchhouse it was cool.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

above and across; more than

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading But on the porch of the ranchhouse it was cool.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

an attendant who rocks a child in a cradle

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

a very small spot

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

a reference point to shoot at

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

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

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

in the direction of

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

up to a particular time

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

having passed out of existence

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

a vivid mental image

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

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

From this reading But on the porch of the ranchhouse it was cool.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading THE TARGET Earlier in the morning, Ruth had watched Uncle Jepson and Aunt Martha ride away in the buckboard toward Lazette.

at the time that

From this reading When the buckboard had finally vanished into the distance, with nothing left of it but a thin dust cloud that spread and disintegrated and at last settled down, Ruth walked to a rocker on the porch and sank into it, her face flushed, her eyes glowing with eager expectancy.

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

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

a Caucasian

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had stood on the porch, following them with her eyes until the buckboard had grown dim in her vision--a mere speck crawling over a sun-scorched earth, under a clear white sky in which swam a sun that for days had been blighting growing things.