Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

(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 We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

an absence of emotion or enthusiasm

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

the two together, not just one

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

lacking funds

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

rid of obstructions

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

disabled in the feet or legs

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

brought together in one place

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

destroyed or killed

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "Guess who it is," called a voice.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

only a very short time before

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

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

From this reading "Guess who it is," called a voice.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

immediately past

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

the force of workers available

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

plural of “portion” — something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

established beyond doubt

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

past form of “raid” — search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

a member of a group of North American Indian peoples who spoke a Siouan language and who ranged from Lake Michigan to the Rocky Mountains

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

walk stealthily

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I had gone for some distance before I heard hoofs on the sand behind me.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

required or under orders

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

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

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

up to a particular time

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading "Guess who it is," called a voice.

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

exhausted

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

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

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

toward the west

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

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

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.

during the time that

From this reading We supposed, what later proved to be true, that the Sioux had raided in the valley on both sides of us, and that the scattered portions of the army had all they could do, while the freight trains were held back until the road was clear.

which person or people

From this reading "Guess who it is," called a voice.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I wearied of the monotony of wagon travel, and without council with any, finally, weak as I was, called for my horse and rode on slowly with the walking teams.

people who are wounded

From this reading TWO IN THE DESERT How long it was I hardly knew, for I had slink into a sort of dull apathy in which one day was much like another; but at last we gathered our crippled party together and broke camp, our wounded men in the wagons, and so slowly passed on westward, up the trail.