Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

(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 They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

a pauper who lives by begging

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

a dagger with a slender blade

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

clothing in general

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

make up

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

a funeral procession

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

the perception that something has occurred or some state exists

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

twice as great or many

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

divisible by two

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

coins made of gold

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

plural of “guerilla” — a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment

From this reading WITH THE GUERILLAS.

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

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

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

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

occurring or falling between events or points in time

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

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

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

a protective covering that protects an inside surface

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

march in a procession

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

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

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

and nothing more

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

above and across; more than

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

plural of “roll” — rotary motion of an object around its own axis

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

plural of “seam” — joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

fastened with stitches

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

a particular situation

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

plural of “sol” — a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading WITH THE GUERILLAS.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

very small

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

past form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition

From this reading It was now four months since the Scudamores left the army, and in the intervening time they had tramped through a large portion of Spain.

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

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading It was on a fine morning at the end of March that a cortege of muleteers and mules left the little town of Alonqua.

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

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

in or at the place that

From this reading They had carried with them only a dozen or so little despatches done up in tiny rolls of the length and about the thickness of a bodkin, These were sewn inside the lining of their coats, in the middle of the cloth where it was doubled in at the seams, so that, even were the clothes to be examined carefully and felt all over, the chances of detection were slight indeed.

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

From this reading They had each, on starting, half a dozen pieces of Spanish gold coin sewn between the thicknesses of leather of the soles of each of their shoes, for they did not start in the beggar clothes in which they had first disguised themselves.

in the company of; together with

From this reading WITH THE GUERILLAS.