Chapter XXXV · Chapter 35

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

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

plural of “activity” — any specific behavior

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

anew

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

without seeing or looking

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

plural of “burden” — an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

in conjunction with; combined

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

an engagement fought between two military forces

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

-ing form of “commingle” — mix or blend

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

a sheath worn to protect a finger

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

plural of “crevice” — a long narrow depression in a surface

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

on a floor below

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

apart from; not including

From this reading "And gittin' nowhere," soliloquized Pete, "except in trouble."

opinion or judgment

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

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

From this reading "And gittin' nowhere," soliloquized Pete, "except in trouble."

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

in a grim implacable manner

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

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

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

-ing form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

plural of “highway” — a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

apart from others

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

make a map of; show or establish the features of details of

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

the force of workers available

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

an insignificant place

From this reading "And gittin' nowhere," soliloquized Pete, "except in trouble."

plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

above and across; more than

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

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

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

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

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

on the contrary

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

past form of “review” — look at again; examine again

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

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

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

-ing form of “scramble” — to move hurriedly

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

inflected form of “scurry” — to move about or proceed hurriedly

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

-ing form of “separate” — act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

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

From this reading "And gittin' nowhere," soliloquized Pete, "except in trouble."

find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

plural of “tangent” — a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He smiled rather grimly as he realized that he had a puzzle game of his own to solve.

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

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

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

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

a source of difficulty

From this reading "And gittin' nowhere," soliloquized Pete, "except in trouble."

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading He lay on the cot and his eyes closed as he reviewed the vivid events in his life, from the beginning of the trail, at Concho, to its end, here in El Paso.

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

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE MAN DOWNSTAIRS Pete did not return to the veranda to finish his puzzle game with little Ruth.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.

but in spite of that

From this reading It seemed to spread out before him like a great map: the desert and its towns, the hills and mesas, trails and highways over which men scurried like black and red ants, commingling, separating, hastening off at queer tangents, meeting in combat, disappearing in crevices, reappearing and setting off again in haste, searching for food, bearing strange burdens, scrambling blindly over obstacles--collectively without seeming purpose--yet individually bent upon some quest, impetuous and headstrong in their strange activities.