meaning of some words and phrases

[skystar30097]

hello
i would like to know the meaning of underlined words or phrases. it's part of old man at the bridge of Ernest Hemingway

1- there was a pantoon bridge across the river.

2- the muledrawn carts staggered up the steep bank from the bridge
3- the trucks ground up and away heading out of it all and the peasants plodded along the ankle-deep dust.
4- liking him, she opened the door and looked out.

5- she liked his old, heavy face and big hands.
6- the motor cars were gone from the square.

thanks

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

1) You mean a pontoon bridge. They're essentially "floating bridges" that use something buoyant to keep them afloat such as air filled barrels.

2) A bank is the slope of a hill (in this context).

3) This simply means that the trucks left, with 'ground' (in the sense of 'to grind') suggesting this was done with great effort. Not enough context to tell you what they're driving out of.

4) Since she liked him, she opened the door for him.

5) I'm not sure exactly what the author means by 'heavy' here. It gives me an impression that I can't quite convey in words.

6) They're vehicles powered by motors. It's an unnecessary distinction nowadays.

 

[skystar30097]

thank you so much slickvic900.