Chapter XIV

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

in an absentminded or preoccupied manner

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.

later than; following

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

Having no one else present.

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

remote in manner

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

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

From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

plural of “apache” — any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

possessive form of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

plural of “comanche” — a member of the Shoshonean people who formerly lived between Wyoming and the Mexican border but are now chiefly in Oklahoma

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

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

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

in a polite manner

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

avoiding emotional involvement

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

feelings of ardent love

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

small swift graceful antelope of Africa and Asia having lustrous eyes

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

a young female

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

the act of retaining something

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

someone who hunts game

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

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

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

and nothing more

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

in motion

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

-ing form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.

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

From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

in a pensive manner

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

compensation (given or received) for an insult or injury

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

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

From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

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

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

being of use or service

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

at the time that

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

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

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

a Caucasian

From this reading After the fight, when Black Cat's Apaches had retired on one side, and Unicorn's Comanches on the other, each detachment proceeding in the direction of the village, and the hunters were alone on the prairie, Valentine perceived White Gazelle leaning pensively against a tree, and absently holding the bridle of her horse, which was nibbling the grass.

belonging to which person

From this reading The hunter understood that he and his comrades owed a reparation to this girl, whose incomprehensible devotion had been so useful to them during the moving incidents of the tragedy which had just ended.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading He therefore went up to her, and bowing courteously, said in a gentle voice-- "Why remain thus aloof?

in the company of; together with

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Your place is by our side; hobble your horse with ours, and come to our fireside."