Chapter IV

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

later than; following

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

a person with fair skin and hair

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

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

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Now that the danger was over, she would not worry.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

a feeling of liking for another person; enjoyment in their company

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

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

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

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

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

ten 10s

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

a single distinct event

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

in jest

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

an overwhelming electoral victory

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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 Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

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

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

cut slightly, with a razor

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

possessive form of “nick” — an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Now that the danger was over, she would not worry.

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

From this reading Now that the danger was over, she would not worry.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

many times at short intervals

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

above and across; more than

From this reading Now that the danger was over, she would not worry.

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

in a serious manner

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

with tenderness; in a tender manner

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

warm friendly feelings of gratitude

From this reading Still in her mother’s heart was a prayer of thankfulness for the boys’ safety.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

up to a particular time

From this reading Mr. Manley, the soul of bluff friendliness and humor, laughed until the ends of his long black mustache curled inward.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

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

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But Mrs. Manley, she whom the boys and their father often called, half jokingly, half seriously, “the blonde angel of the West,” smiled tenderly.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading Now that the danger was over, she would not worry.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Now that the danger was over, she would not worry.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT At the ranch that evening, there was much talk of the landslide and of how Nick came upon the two boys “wanderin’ around within five hundred yards of each other an’ each thinkin’ the other was settin’ on the ground, tossin’ little rocks after big ones,” which was Nick’s way of telling of the incident.