Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

(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 A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

indistinct or hazy in outline

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

uttered without voice

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

neat and smart in appearance

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

the first light of day

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

a felt hat that is round and hard with a narrow brim

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

having the place or position changed

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

an Italian woman of rank

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

divisible by two

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

the placement of the fingers for playing different notes (or sequences of notes) on a musical instrument

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

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

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

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

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

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

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

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

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

a particular point in time

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

easily agitated

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

and nothing more

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

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

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

put a saddle on

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

having a saddle on or being mounted on a saddled animal

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

a quick and penetrating intelligence

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

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

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

an Italian title of respect for a man; equivalent to the English “sir”; used separately (not prefixed to his name)

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Meanwhile, in the big best room on the ground floor of Donna Marcella's house, Porter slept.

(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

in a strident manner

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

cut a female screw thread with a tap

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

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

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

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

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.

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

From this reading A moment of silence followed, and then a voice breathed stridently, "_Signore!_" Porter stirred in his sleep.

at the time that

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

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

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading A man's step outside and the fingering of a shutter-latch disturbed him not at all; even when there came a nervous tap on the window frame, Porter slept on.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The faint light showed him only a blurred and indistinct landscape; and in the crisp stillness the leather of his saddle creaked a monotonous accompaniment to the horse's hoofs, which struck the road with clean-cut staccato sharpness.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading BEFORE DAYLIGHT In the purple dawn of a morning two or three days later, Derby emerged from the house of Donna Marcella, saddled his horse and for the first time without his attendant _carabinieri_, started for the mines.