Chapter II · The Lottery of Death

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

later than; following

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

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

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

next to; at the side of

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

not accessible to view

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

the act of congregating

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

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

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

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

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

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

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

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

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

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

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

something that is regarded as a chance event

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

the force of workers available

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

held or filled or in use

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

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

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

-ing form of “overhang” — project over

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

correct or appropriate behavior

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

for a short time

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

without speaking

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

past form of “term” — name formally or designate with a term

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Shortly after dark a band of horsemen began congregating here, riding silently into the road, dismounting and tethering their animals in a small glade that occupied the center of the _motte_.

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

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

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

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

the act of testing something

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

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

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

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

From this reading Other events were occurring upon that same night, that now claim our attention.

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

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

a Caucasian

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.

which person or people

From this reading One man who was among the first to arrive, appeared high in authority, judging from the deference with which he was regarded by the others.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A small timber island that stood close beside the stream before spoken of as running near the hunters’ bivouac, was the scene of a strange and peculiar trial; one that might with propriety be termed _a lottery of death_.

the words that are spoken

From this reading That they were white men, was plain from the few words spoken, though the overhanging trees concealed their features.