Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

a friendly nation

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

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

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

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

From this reading They ate, as they worked, heroically.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading They ate, as they worked, heroically.

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

next to; at the side of

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

darkened by smoke

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

causing injury or blight; especially affecting with sudden violence or plague or ruin

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

given or giving freely

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

intentionally conceived

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

possessive form of “contractor” — someone (a person or firm) who contracts to build things

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

past form of “exceed” — be greater in scope or size than some standard

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

plural of “expectation” — belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

plural of “foundation” — the basis on which something is grounded

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

yet to be or coming

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance or eminence

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

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

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

in a heroic manner

From this reading They ate, as they worked, heroically.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

immediately past

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

the production of eggs (especially in birds)

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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 The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

the force of workers available

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

a state of confusion and disorderliness

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

according to the clock

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

select carefully from a group

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

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

From this reading They ate, as they worked, heroically.

the swift release of a store of affective force

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

in the direction of

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

up to a particular time

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

characterized by variety

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

tanned and coarsened from being outdoors

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

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

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

at the time that

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

which person or people

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Tin lamps hung from the beams blackened with smoke, and sturdy men were finishing their six o'clock supper beneath them.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading They ate, as they worked, heroically.

plural of “workman” — an employee who performs manual or industrial labor

From this reading The supper was varied and bountiful, for Geoffrey, who was conscious of a thrill of pride as he glanced down the long rows of weather-beaten faces, fed his workmen well.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ALLY Winter was drawing towards its close at last, when, on the evening of a day in which the result of a heavy blasting charge had exceeded his utmost expectations, Geoffrey Thurston stood beside his foreman in his workmen's mess shanty.

-ing form of “wrest” — obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically

From this reading The men were the pick of the province, for, until tempted by the contractor's high wages, most of them had been engaged in laying the foundations of its future greatness by wresting new spaces for corn and cattle from the forest.