Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

in an absentminded or preoccupied manner

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

in the past

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

any of various Spanish fortresses or palaces built by the Moors

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

possessing life

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

not methodically or according to plan

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

at any time

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

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

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

plural of “glance” — a quick look

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

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

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

-ing form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

in a dishonorable manner or to a dishonorable degree

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

a message received and understood

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

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

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

plural of “loafer” — person who does no work

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

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

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

and nothing more

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

not any; not one

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

being perceived or observed

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

the person in charge of a post office

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

with low volume

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

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

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

from appearances alone

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

important in effect or meaning

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

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

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

morally degraded

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

paper cut to an appropriate size for writing letters; usually with matching envelopes

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

successive (without a break)

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

the environmental condition

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

bound or secured closely

From this reading Not a face or movement escaped him, and his mouth hardened ever so slightly as he noted a couple of C Bar horses tied to the hitching rail before the door of the Alcazar saloon.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

in the direction of

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

past form of “volunteer” — tell voluntarily

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

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

From this reading THE MARK OF THE BEAST As he rode slowly up the little squalid street, seemingly lost in a brown study and gazing abstractedly straight between his horse's ears, he was in reality keenly alive to his surroundings.

at the time that

From this reading And when the old postmaster quietly volunteered the information, "Matlock is in town," he merely smiled his comprehension and rolled a fresh cigarette.

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

From this reading Dismounting leisurely before the grimy little shack which did combined duty as stationery store and post office, he nodded casually to the crowd of loafers about the entrance; if he noticed significant glances toward the horses tied to the railing across the street, he made no sign.

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

From this reading Matlock was the man whom he had so ignominiously dragged at his rope's end a month ago.