used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
bandedadjectiveUS /ˈbændɪd/
identified with a band especially around a leg
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
beltsnounUS /belts/
plural of “belt” — endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
birches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
blue-greyadjective
of grey tinged with blue
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
bluenessnounUS /ˈbluːnəs/
blue color or pigment; resembling the color of the clear sky in the daytime
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
branchedadjectiveUS /bræntʃt/
resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
bronchonoun
an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
by-track
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
coulee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
DISTRACTIONnounUS /dɪˈstrækʃən/
mental turmoil
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
DusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
eastwardsadverb
toward the east
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
fadingnounUS /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/
weakening in force or intensity
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
glutverbUS /ɡlʌt/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
invadedverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdəd/
past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
LELAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the act of tarrying
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
loamnounUS /loʊm/
a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
marketsnounUS /ˈmɑːrkəts/
plural of “market” — the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
ploughnounUS /plaʊ/
a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
possessing material wealth
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
ridgedadjectiveUS /rɪdʒd/
having a ridge or shaped like a ridge or suggesting the keel of a ship
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
uttered with a trill
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
SEEKSnounUS /siːks/
plural of “seek” — the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
shaggyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæɡi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
sinuousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪnwəs/
curved or curving in and out
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
snow-sheeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
steerverbUS /stɪr/
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
stubblenounUS /ˈstʌbəl/
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
two-foot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
undulatedverbUS /ˈʌndʒəleɪtəd/
past form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
wheatnounUS /wiːt/
annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
at the time that
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
in or at the place that
From this reading LELAND SEEKS DISTRACTION Dusk was creeping up from the eastwards across the great snow-sheeted plain when Leland pulled his horses up where a little by-track branched off from the beaten trail.
whitenessnounUS /ˈwaɪtnəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading Behind him the wilderness, losing its gleaming whiteness and fading into shades of soft blue-grey, ran level to the hard blueness on the northern horizon.
WinnipegnounUS /ˈwɪnɪpəɡ/
the capital and largest city of Manitoba; located in southern Manitoba; known for severe winters
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In front of him there were rolling rises ridged with sinuous bands of birches, black in broken masses against the lingering light in the south and west.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading There was room for wheat enough to glut markets of the world on the leagues of rich black loam that undulated to the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg.
but in spite of that
From this reading Already miles of it were banded together by belts of two-foot stubble; but as yet the plough had not invaded the land of bluff and ravine, creek and coulee, where the shaggy broncho and the wild steer ran.
