Chapter II

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

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

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

only a very short time before

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

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

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

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

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading “No, I thank you,” Hammond heard her decline in a bright voice.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

possessive form of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

patterned with alternating squares of color

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

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

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

grow worse

From this reading “No, I thank you,” Hammond heard her decline in a bright voice.

past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical)

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

befitting or characteristic of a young girl

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

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

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading “No, I thank you,” Hammond heard her decline in a bright voice.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

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

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

as cold as ice

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

closed with a lace

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

most important element

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

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

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

-ing form of “misplace” — place (something) where one cannot find it again

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

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

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

not any; not one

From this reading “No, I thank you,” Hammond heard her decline in a bright voice.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

any thick, viscous matter

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

above and across; more than

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

having a point

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

any soft or soggy mass

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

marijuana leaves rolled into a cigarette for smoking

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

leaking out slowly

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

filled with shade

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

a particular situation

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

a person who directs and manages an organization

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading “No, I thank you,” Hammond heard her decline in a bright voice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

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

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

of the highest quality

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

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

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

at the time that

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He arose bespattered and with ice-cold ooze seeping to his ankles over the tops of his city shoes.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A big man in a reefer and high boots laced to the knees followed, but before he gained her side, the woman turned.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading ACEY SMITH I LOUIS HAMMOND, picking his way in the rapidly-failing twilight, dodged a pot-hole in the pulp camp’s “main street,” looked up at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, and, misplacing a foot, went sprawling into another.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “No, I thank you,” Hammond heard her decline in a bright voice.

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

From this reading The young man barely checked the exclamation more forceful than polite that rose to his tongue when a lithe, girlish form, close-wrapped to the throat in a light fall coat, stepped out to the road from the shadowy verandah of the building that had been pointed out to him as the office of the superintendent.