Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

anew

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

completely unclothed

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

without shoes

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

the two together, not just one

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

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

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

traveling across

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

without deviation

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

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

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

front part of a vessel or aircraft

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

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

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

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

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

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

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

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

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

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

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

the act of departing

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

past form of “loop” — move in loops

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

most important element

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

plural of “meander” — a bend or curve, as in a stream or river

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

flat tableland with steep edges

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

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

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

occurring from time to time

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

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

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

a temporary police force

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

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

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

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

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

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

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

a particular situation

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

past form of “slacken” — become slow or slower

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

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

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

separate into parts or portions

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

past form of “stow” — fill by packing tightly

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

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

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

plural of “swing” — a state of steady vigorous action that is characteristic of an activity

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

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

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

in the direction of

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

a soft porous rock consisting of calcium carbonate deposited from springs rich in lime

From this reading Then he reined his pony to a bare spot on the grass-dotted tufa, and again dismounted.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

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

From this reading Pete dismounted at this fork, pulled up his slackened cinches, and making certain that he was leaving a plain track, rode down the main trail for half a mile.

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

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

From this reading THE SPIDER Where the old Ranger Trail, crossing the Blue Mesa, leaves the high mesa and meanders off into the desert, there is a fork which leads southwest, to the Apache country--a grim and waterless land--and finally swings south toward the border.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He looped Blue Smoke's fore feet, then threw him, and pulled his shoes with a pair of wire nippers, and stowed the shoes in his saddle-pockets.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He again rode directly down the trail, surmising that the occasional track of a barefoot horse would appear natural enough should the posse, whom he knew would follow him, split up and ride both trails.