Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

later than; following

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

(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 One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

in addition

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

completing its life cycle within a year

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

army unit smaller than a division

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

approval

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

-ing form of “embark” — go on board

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading This would come in the fall.

elaborate or showy attire and accessories

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

highest in quality

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

an offensive term for an offspring of parents of different racial group (especially of Caucasian and American Indian ancestry)

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

moving with great haste

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

having no employment

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

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

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

the possibility of future success

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

living in a particular place

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

the season of growth

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading Now it was spring, and the great fur brigade of the Company was starting north on its savage annual journey.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

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

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

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

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

plural of “warehouse” — a storehouse for goods and merchandise

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

(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 One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

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

From this reading Here and there among these were strange faces also to be of the north-bound company now embarking.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

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

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The resident population joined those idling about the warehouses and the boat-yard, for this was the greatest event of the year for them, with one exception--that is, the return of the much smaller brigade bearing the fur down from the northern country.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading One after another a young half-breed would come hurrying down the street, his hair close cut and his face well washed, wearing all the finery for which he had been able to get credit, now that he had a prospect of wages coming in erelong.