Chapter VI · A Quick Change

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

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

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

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

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

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

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

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

in a beautiful manner

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

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

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

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

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

placed crosswise

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

recognizable; marked

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

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

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

the act of grazing

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

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

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

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

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

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

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

toward home

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

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

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

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

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

shrubby two-needled pine of coastal northwestern United States; red to yellow-brown bark fissured into small squares

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

the force of workers available

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

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

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

United States playwright (1888-1953)

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

and nothing more

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

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

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

plural of “steer” — an indication of potential opportunity

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

not in physical motion

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

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

From this reading “First, I must be sure that Boyce’s steers are safe,” he decided, and crossed Limestone Creek with a splash and a clatter of hoofs on the stones.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

believed likely

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

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

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

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

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

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

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A great deal depended upon his horse, and he had not spared the animal in his roundabout ride to cut the homeward trail of Peterson and his men.

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

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

at the time that

From this reading The afternoon was older than he had suspected when he rode up out of Bad Cañon and across the high grazing ground that lay between his fishing place and Lodgepole Basin.

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

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

make whistling sounds

From this reading Later Pat O’Neill did not whistle, though he still rode in haste.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.

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

From this reading He had a plan which he felt would work beautifully, if only he had time for it; but now with the sinking of the sun, he was not so sure.