Chapter IX

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

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

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

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

the capital of Mali; located in the south on the Niger

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

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

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

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

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

plural of “delay” — time during which some action is awaited

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

not still wet

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

being one more than seven

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading This place was the haunt of herds of kob.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

plural of “herd” — a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading This place was the haunt of herds of kob.

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

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

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

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

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

the civilization of Muslims collectively which is governed by the Muslim religion

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

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

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

an orange-brown antelope of southeast Africa

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

(of soil) soft and watery

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

plural of “moor” — one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

above and across; more than

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading This place was the haunt of herds of kob.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

the quality or habit of adhering to an appointed time

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

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

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

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

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

a republic in northeastern Africa on the Red Sea; achieved independence from Egypt and the United Kingdom in 1956

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

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

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

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

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

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

From this reading This place was the haunt of herds of kob.

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

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

a lottery in which tickets are drawn from a revolving drum

From this reading OUR route to Tombola lay across a marshy, open stretch of land for some miles.

small brush; has long handle; used to clean teeth

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

conducive to or feeling mental discomfort

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

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

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

causing irritation or annoyance

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

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

From this reading The marsh was dried up in many places, and a rank, coarse grass grew over it to a height of seven or eight feet.

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

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.

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

From this reading Kob — A West African road — Characteristics of the Moors — The influence of Islam — The French Soudan — Kangaba — Hospitality — A picturesque market — Vexatious delays — African punctuality — A new acquaintance — Uncomfortable marching — Shea-butter — Its uses — A native toothbrush — Arrival at Bamako.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The natives evidently were not hunters, for these animals could be seen within half a mile of a village; in fact, one I shot was close to a village.