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Casey Ryan
Casey Ryan

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Casey Ryan
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.
The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.
Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.
But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.
If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.
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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.

Casey Ryan

Chapter II

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.
Line 2
The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.
Line 3
Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.
Line 4
But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.
Line 5
If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Nights noun US /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

afar

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

always

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

arms

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

attitude

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

Away

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

beast

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

brush

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

came

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

Casey

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

cool

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

daunted

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

defensively

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

desert

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

easily

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

eerie

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

fanned

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

find

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

followed

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

fought

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

furnace

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

grotesque

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

happy

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

held

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

high

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

inhospitable

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

Joshua

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

lifted

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

like

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

malevolent

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

man

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

matched

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

material

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

meaning

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

mesas

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

mineral

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

mountains

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

much

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

now

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

off

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

ore

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

out

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

place

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

places

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

purely

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

range

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

reputed

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

rich

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

rocks

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

sand

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

sinister

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

snakes

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

some

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

spite

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

stare

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

Starvation

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

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

stories

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

tarantulas

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

thankfully

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

then

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

there

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading The Starvation Mountains had always been reputed rich in mineral and malevolent in their attitude toward man and beast.

trail

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

trees

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

From this reading Even the Joshua trees stood afar off and lifted grotesque arms defensively against them.

vein

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But Casey was not easily daunted, and eerie places held for him no meaning save the purely material one.

water

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.

well

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Away out on the high mesas that are much like the desert below, except that the nights are cool and the wind is not fanned out of a furnace, Casey fought sand and brush and rocks and found a trail now and then which he followed thankfully, and so came at last to a short range of mountains whose name matched well their inhospitable stare.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading If he could find water and the rich vein of ore some one had told him was there, then Casey would be happy in spite of snakes, tarantulas and sinister stories of the place.