used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
at or in the front
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
(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 But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
aspennounUS /ˈæspən/
any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
bald-headedadjective
lacking hair on all or most of the scalp
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
blossomverbUS /ˈblɑːsəm/
produce or yield flowers
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
full-grownadjective
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
gladesnounUS /ɡleɪdz/
plural of “glade” — a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
the act of departing
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
grassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡræsi/
abounding in grass
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
greenishadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːnɪʃ/
of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
GroupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
interspersedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈspɜːrst/
past form of “intersperse” — place at intervals in or among
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
for more time
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
engage in
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
maskedadjectiveUS /mæskt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
not any; not one
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
openingsnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋz/
plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
parklike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
poplars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
prairiesnounUS /ˈpreɪriz/
plural of “prairie” — a treeless grassy plain
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
raspberrynounUS /ˈræzberi/
woody brambles bearing usually red but sometimes black or yellow fruits that separate from the receptacle when ripe and are rounder and smaller than blackberries
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
rottedadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtɪd/
damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
sizesnounUS /ˈsaɪzəz/
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
sprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
stemsnounUS /stemz/
plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
not in physical motion
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
carry out
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The bald-headed prairie now began to take on a parklike aspect.
in the direction of
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
tracklessadjective
having no tracks
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
treacherouslyadverb
in a disloyal and faithless manner
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading As they descended by imperceptible degrees towards the river, they could no longer make out the line of its valley ahead.
precisely as stated
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
well-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But there were still grassy openings of all sizes, from pretty glades to miniature prairies.
in or at the place that
From this reading Through the trackless forest it was very slow going; giant raspberry bushes, now in blossom, barred the way; rotting trunks lay prone in every direction; and vivid moss treacherously masked the holes where the ancient stems had rotted clean out of the ground.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Groups of graceful, full-grown poplars with their greenish yellow bark became more and more numerous, gradually leading them into a well-grown forest of aspen trees, interspersed with spruce.
