Chapter I · Chapter 1

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About the drying-fire were gathered thirty-odd men.

how long something has existed

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Nearly all were smoking pipes.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

a strong flame that burns brightly

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

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

From this reading About the drying-fire were gathered thirty-odd men.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

brought together in one place

From this reading About the drying-fire were gathered thirty-odd men.

past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

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

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

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

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

the force of workers available

From this reading About the drying-fire were gathered thirty-odd men.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Nearly all were smoking pipes.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

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

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading Nearly all were smoking pipes.

past form of “predominate” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

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

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading Nearly all were smoking pipes.

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

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

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

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

not in physical motion

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

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

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

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

From this reading About the drying-fire were gathered thirty-odd men.

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

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

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

From this reading Some were half-reclining before the blaze; others sat in rows on logs drawn close for the purpose; still others squatted like Indians on their heels, their hands thrown forward to keep the balance.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

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

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

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

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.

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

From this reading About the drying-fire were gathered thirty-odd men.

a Caucasian

From this reading Two large tents gleamed white among the trees.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Every age was represented in this group, but young men predominated.