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A Canyon Voyage
A Canyon Voyage

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for A Canyon Voyage
Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.
We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.
The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.
Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.
We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Canyon Voyage

Chapter IX

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.
Line 2
We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.
Line 3
The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.
Line 4
Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.
Line 5
We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.”

Camp noun US /camp/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.”

Chilly adjective US /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading “A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.”

Lest conjunction US /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading “We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.”

Owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.”

Twilight noun US /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading “A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.”

All words in this reading · 137

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

addition

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

allowing

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

almost

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

AnothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

away

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Bad

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

boats

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

Boom

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

Bottom

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

Boulders

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

camp

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Canyon

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

Cataract

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

Chasm

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

ChillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

conditions

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

continuity

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Crags

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

cup

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

Days

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

declivity

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

depth

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

descends

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

Devil

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

Dirty

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

dissolve

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

doubled

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

down

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

drop

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

eating

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

equal

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

extra

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

failed

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

Fast

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

fierce

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

flat

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Furious

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

gorge

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

Grand

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

greater

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

heavy

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

indeed

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

intensity

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

interpret

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

laid

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Large

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

LastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

lestconjunctionUS /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

like

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

loosened

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

Major

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

masses

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

Moonrise

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

moorings

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

Mouth

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

named

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

new

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

now

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

obliged

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Out

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

owing

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

PassagenounUS /ˈpassage/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

pell-mell

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

Picture

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

Pinnacles

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

Plunging

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

Poverty

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

previously

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

rains

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

rapid

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

rapidly

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Rations

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

river

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

sand-bank

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

sapping

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Shivering

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

sight

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

splash

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

sugar

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

sweep

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

swirled

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

tea

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.

term

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

threatening

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

threshold

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

Tornado

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

tremendous

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

Tumultuous

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

TwilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

velocity

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

volume

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

watch

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

From this reading We were obliged to be on the watch lest the moorings of the boats should be loosened, allowing them to sweep pell-mell before us down the gorge.

water

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

Waters

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The addition of the almost equal volume of the Grand--indeed it was now a little greater owing to extra heavy rains along its course--doubled the depth and velocity of the river till it swirled on into the new canyon before us with a fierce, threatening intensity, sapping the flat sand-bank on which our camp was laid and rapidly eating it away.

Wild

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading We were on the threshold of what the Major had previously named Cataract Canyon, because the declivity within it is so great and the water descends with such tremendous velocity and continuity that he thought the term rapid failed to interpret the conditions.

Wonderland

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

From this reading A Wonderland of Crags and Pinnacles--Poverty Rations--Fast and Furious Plunging Waters--Boulders Boom along the Bottom--Chilly Days and Shivering--A Wild Tumultuous Chasm--A Bad Passage by Twilight and a Tornado with a Picture Moonrise--Out of one Canyon into Another--At the Mouth of the Dirty Devil at Last.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Large masses with a sudden splash would drop out of sight and dissolve like sugar in a cup of tea.