Chapter XXXVIII

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He was never more than three days behind Moffatt.

past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

a swaggering show of courage

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

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

From this reading He kept to the by-trails and the wildest regions.

succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

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

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

plural of “display” — something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

to or in any or all places

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

-ing form of “foresee” — realize beforehand

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

past form of “frequent” — do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading He kept to the by-trails and the wildest regions.

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

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

something that is lost

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading He was never more than three days behind Moffatt.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

select carefully from a group

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

resist doing something

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading He kept to the by-trails and the wildest regions.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

a male human offspring

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He was never more than three days behind Moffatt.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading He was never more than three days behind Moffatt.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

a just detectable amount

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

create by training and teaching

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.

the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading THE DUEL IN THE MALPAIS For twelve days Lafe and his son followed the trail of the outlaw.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading He kept to the by-trails and the wildest regions.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Sometimes they lost trace of him, but Moffatt could never refrain from trifling displays of bravado which betrayed his identity everywhere he moved, so that Johnson was able to pick up his tracks without much loss of time.

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

From this reading Evidently foreseeing that the telegraph of the entire continent would be put in service to capture him, Moffatt did not attempt to get out of the country by train or by any of the frequented roads of travel.