Chapter XXXVIII

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

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

anew

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

(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 With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

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

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

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

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

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

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

for the reason that

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

made dull or blunt

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

an American pioneer and guide and explorer (1734-1820)

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

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

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

(of information) make known; pass on

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

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

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

true confidential information

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

completely wanting or lacking

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

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

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

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

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

plural of “entity” — that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

apart from; not including

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

opinion or judgment

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

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

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

start firing a weapon

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

a long fixed look

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

death of a person

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

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

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

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

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

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

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

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

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

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

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

a native or resident of Kentucky

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

immediately past

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

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

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

on one occasion

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

and nothing more

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

propose a toast to

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

cut with a saw

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

refrain from harming

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

a smallest army unit

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

walk heavily

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

a state of acute pain

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

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

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

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

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

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

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

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

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

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

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

not one of the first three in a race or competition

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

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

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

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

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

at the time that

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

in or at the place that

From this reading When they had entered the room where the body lay and the soldiers had turned and clanked out, they had been as devoid of personal entities as links in a chain--except one.

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

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

a Caucasian

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

which person or people

From this reading It was he who gave the orders, and as Boone watched the firing squad step forward--gaunt, shadow shapes in silhouette--to fire the last salute, he saw the details with a dazed and blunted gaze.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the half-realized familiarity of unplaced features, one face besides that of his two distinguished companions, declared its existence to Boone Wellver out of all the faces that set the stage that night.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading An officer, though seen only through half shadow, had worn a stamp of grief on eyes and a mouth which the Kentuckian did not seem to be seeing for the first time.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Again under the night skies by the open grave, when the lanterns burned yellow and the white shaft of an automobile lamp bit out a hard band of glare, the figures of the burial party might have been effigies, but once more the tight-drawn figure of that spare officer declared itself human because only something human could, without word or motion, convey such a declaration of suffering.