to catch

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pructus  #513186  Tue, 13 May 08 04:19 PM
 

"The concrete highway was edged with a mat of tangled, broken, dry grass, and the grass heads were heavy with oat beards to catch on a dog's coat, and foxtails to tangle in a horse's fetlocks, and clover burrs to fasten in sheep's wool; ** From Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck. The to catch, to tangle, to fasten”…. How are they to be understood? Do they mean. the grass heads were heavy with oat beards (that were disposed/willing)  to catch on a dog's coat, and foxtails (that were disposed/willing) to tangle in a horse's fetlocks…?

 

 

  
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Marius Hancu  #513192  Tue, 13 May 08 04:39 PM
 foxtail is a kind of grass here

oat beards which were ready/positioned to grip/grasp  on a dog's coat ...

foxtails which were ready to tangle ...

--

or simpler:

were to catch = were meant/fated to catch 

 

  
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pructus  #513365  Wed, 14 May 08 02:26 AM

Oh!

 I see....

 Thanks, Hancu!

  
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