Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

an abrupt discourteous manner

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

(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 It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

for the reason that

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

the capacity to attract and hold something

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

a long trough for feeding cattle

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

in a hearty manner

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

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

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

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

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

a young female

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

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

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

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

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

to a considerable degree

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

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

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

done or made using whatever is available

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

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

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

the act of departing politely

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

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 A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

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

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

directly

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

the property of being multiple

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

except for; apart from

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

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

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

an earnest and sincere feeling

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

not tense or taut

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

without a sound

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

lacking spontaneity or originality or individuality

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

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

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

not in physical motion

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

a depository for goods

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

changing location by moving back and forth

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

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

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

the starting point for a new state or experience

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

up to a particular time

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

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

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

carried out without aid or assistance

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

without emotion; devoid of emotion

From this reading Soundlessly, unemotionally, Steve closed the door on that figure on the bunk edge which, suddenly slack of limb and shoulder, had averted its face.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

precisely as stated

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

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

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

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

From this reading But he might have talked till daylight and still have failed to register the binding acceptance of Garry's promise, which his silence, unaided, achieved.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But then, there in the darkness, with the gun swinging heavily between loose fingers, he hesitated in his very first step back from the threshold.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.

the words that are spoken

From this reading It was a man's leave-taking, short to abruptness, so badly stereotyped that it denied utterly any consciousness of threatened, reckless tragedy and cordially intimate only because in all man-to-man speech there is less and less of actual sincerity in a multiplicity of words.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading A GIRL LIKE HER Save for a short and casual "see you in the morning, Garry," Stephen O'Mara turned without a word that night and left the improvised sleeping-quarters in the storehouse shack.